Trying to match women's net gains

China's male players lament a lack of exposure on tough road to international respectability

Aiming to catch up with their more accomplished female counterparts, China's male tennis players are seeking more international exposure to help propel them in the professional ranks.

After Wu Di pushed 14-time major champion Rafael Nadal to his limit with tough defense and aggressive volleys during a narrow 6-4, 6-4 first-round loss at the China Open on Tuesday, a familiar question was raised: Why haven't Chinese men climbed higher on the professional ladder?