Li Na is thrilled that Justine Henin’s former coach, Carlos Rodriguez, has agreed to become as her new coach on trial basis.
Li was scheduled to meet him face to face for the first time on Wednesday night in Cincinnati. Last week in Montreal, when the ninth-ranked Li reached the final, they were exchanging emails.
"I’m so happy he can be on my team and coach me," she told a small group of reporters about Rodriguez, who coached Henin to seven major titles. "After Wimbledon I texted to my agent, 'I need to find a new coach.' My husband was doing a good job but it’s tough to find a balance between husband and coach, because we are together every day and it’s too long. I said perfect, I need this. The first time I heard the name, I said, ‘OK I really need this.' I was so surprised he wanted to help me. A Chinese coach told me he’s positive and has good communication with the players. He did well with Justine and I know he’s very good and I’m really looking forward to it."
Rodriguez owns a tennis academy in Beijing, China. Her husband, Jiang Shan, who has coached her for most of her career, will continue to travel and hit with her.
"It’s good for both me and my husband,” the 30-year-old Li said."After Carlos comes, now husband is husband. It’s too tough for my mind. Sometimes we are training so hard on court and I’m thinking, You are my husband, why are you training me so hard?’ It's tough to find a balance. He did a good job, it’s just not good way for the wife."