Shenzhen serves up excellence with long-term growth plan

Impressed by the strong debut of the WTA Finals in Shenzhen, tennis legends have high hopes the tournament will serve as an impetus for further growing the game in China over its 10-year run.

From having no events to play at home when she turned pro in 2003 to now watching the women's season finale draw huge crowds in her backyard, China's Zheng Jie marvels at the sport's rapid expansion in her home country - underlined by the increased number and caliber of tournaments over the past decade.

"It's no doubt that a ground-shaking change has hit the landscape of the game," Zheng, China's first Grand Slam semifinalist (2008 Wimbledon), said on the sidelines of the ongoing WTA Finals.