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She had previously been as high as No. 30 in world rankings, but the 25-year-old Zhang had recently slipped to World No. 133.
Zhang explained that she had reached a point where “I just didn’t want to play. I felt like I should just go and lose as quickly as possible.”
Thinking she would walk away from professional tennis, Zhang told reporters that “farming” would be her next pursuit.
“I wanted to grow fruit, vegetables, grow flowers.
“I felt I really want to have this kind of life. To feel relaxed and really enjoy life.”
But then she landed in Melbourne and came up with a performance she described as “the best moment of my career.”
Farm life will now be put on hold as Zhang advances in the tournament.