Li Na’s married life is a little more complicated now that her husband is also her coach.
Li worked with Thomas Hogstedt until the end of last year, when she became China’s most successful player, but started the 2011 season with husband Jiang Shan as her coach.
Last year she reached the Australian Open semifinals and moved into the top 10 for 16 weeks.
She has carried that form into the new year, beating Kim Clijsters to win the Sydney International, a tune-up event for the Australian Open. And now she’s into the fourth round at Melbourne Park after a 6-2, 6-1 win over Barbora Zahlavova.
Having Jiang as coach shifts the dynamic of that relationship. “Yeah, it’s interesting because you always fight,” Li said. “I mean, on the court I always have to listen to what he says. But we always find a bonus to (the) job and life.”
If Jiang is the boss when it comes to tennis, is Li in charge off the court? “I wish, you know?” she said. “Sometimes I can’t do what I want. I think he is totally (in) control, yeah.”
