Peng Shuai was forced to retire in her U.S. Open semifinal match because of heatstroke and cramps.

She was in tears and had to be carried off in a wheelchair to a standing ovation.
CCTV America’s Craig Gabriel reports on the devastating loss.

Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai said this year’s U.S. Open was a special experience for her despite being forced to retire from her semifinal match against Denmark’s former world number one Caroline Wozniacki on Friday.

“It’s a pity. I couldn’t finish the match due to heatstroke and cramp…. But for me, it was a very special experience. I had cramps before, but I’ve never gone this far,” said Peng.

Peng’s coach Ma Weikai said the former doubles number one will have many more opportunities for success in the future.

“She puts a lot of pressure on herself, as she has very high expectations of herself. It’s like that I said, she knew it was a rare opportunity and she wanted to play well. I believe she will have plenty more opportunities in the future,” said Ma.

Peng also brushed off comments that she is playing in the shadow of China’s two-time Grand Slam winner Li Na, who was ruled out of this year’s U.S. Open through injury.

“Everybody’s training hard and hoping to make improvements. We all have our own teams and expect to make a breakthrough every year. So there’s no so-called shadow…. Is everyone playing in the shadow of Serena Williams?” said Peng.

“We are all witnessing a glorious period in China’s tennis development…and we can all leave our own footprints along the way…. A tennis player’s career is short. Individual glory cannot represent the path we’ve negotiated in the past 10-plus years. Progress is made step by step,” she added.