Tennis: Watch out for female Asian tennis players

World No. 2 tennis player Li Na

China's world No. 2 Li Na is well-known for being the top achiever of Asian tennis. She became the first Asian player to win a Grand Slam at the French Open in 2011 and winning yet another trophy at the Australian Open this year.

Her success is a testament to the rise of Asian tennis players around the world.

Zhang Shuai, ranked 3rd in China

Zhang Shuai, World No. 46 and ranked 3rd in China, claimed Li Na's Grand Slam victories have generated much interest into training among youngsters in China.

"In the past, youngsters in China prefer to take up table tennis and badminton but because of Li Na, more are playing tennis. They want to follow her footsteps. I believe tennis in China and also in Asia is growing," said Zhang Shuai in Kuala Lumpur.

Zhang Shuai does not come from a tennis background. What's interesting is that her father, Zhang Zhi Qiang was a professional football player while her mother, Wang Feng Quin played basketball in her younger days.

Arumi Morita

Japan's Arumi Morita feels the same, believing that Asian tennis would soon reach the same standards its Western rivals.

Tennis in Asia is definitely growing and eventually more Asian players will climb up the rankings soon, especially with China and Japan making strides in the women's games.