Olympic champion Zhang Ning believes she can end her career on a high note at next year's Olympics, despite a series of disappointing performance this year.
The 32-year-old, who has not won a singles title since capturing the Singapore Open in May, arrived in Hong Kong yesterday for the HK$2 million Super Series Yonex-Sunrise Hong Kong Open, after her semi-final defeat at the China Open in Guangzhou last week.
'Although I have not enjoyed much success on the world tour this year, I am still confident of doing well at the 2008 Beijing Games,' said Zhang, who won the women's singles title in Athens three years ago.
'All the hard work and effort is geared towards the Beijing Games and retaining my Olympic title in front of the home crowd. It will be a huge disappointment if I cannot win something there. After all, I am not a young player any more and will retire after the Beijing Olympics.'
Zhang, who will meet Petya Nedelcheva of Bulgaria in the opening round at Queen Elizabeth Stadium, blamed the hectic schedule for her poor form.
'I have to play one tournament after another to strive for ranking points to make the Olympic Games next year and there is little time for the recovery of my nagging knee problem as well as proper training. But all top players face the same challenge,' said Zhang.