Back in 1982, Chinese tennis champ Hu Na defected to the United States while playing in a tournament in the San Francisco Bay Area. 32 years later, many in China have not forgiven her despite the Chinese government allowing the former tennis champ to return to the country.
“I never thought it would make such big news,” said Ms Hu to the Telegraph. “But I knew I had to take the chance. Back then we only played overseas twice or three times a year and I did not know when I might be back in the US again.”
Na was just 19 when she defected. She never quite gained championship status in the United States, but did make the third round at Wimbledon in 1985.
Her latest trip back to China was to promote her art exhibition which has sparked a backlash from Chinese on the internet.
“Who let her in?” wrote one. “How long does the crime of defection last for?
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“You bring shame to our country,” wrote another. “Our countrymen have rejected her, this is how the people judged her.”
You can read about the impact her defection had on her family and her thoughts about French Open and Australian Open champ Li Na in the Telegraph.
RE: Chinese still not warming up to Chinese defector & tennis player Hu Na: It must have in 1980 in NYC take a tour of some practice sessions in Central Park, she sprained her ankle. I photographed her coach carrying her off the field. Her coach must have been disappointed with her defection…