After falling short yet again, Wu Di says China’s tennis players need to go abroad to discover key to success

Chinese number one Wu Di has urged China’s tennis authorities to send players abroad to gain experience following after his exit from the Shanghai Masters.

The wild card’s comprehensive 6-2, 6-2 defeat by Gilles Simon in round two on Wednesday ended local interest in the tournament as China’s long wait for success in the men’s game goes on.

Li Na won two women’s grand slam titles, prompting rapid growth in the sport in China, before retiring in 2014. China’s men are yet to make an impact.

Wu, China’s highest ranked male at 182, said the country needed to look to the United States or Europe rather than trying to develop players at home.

“There are many promising young players. They are in China,” said Wu, fielding familiar questions after his latest flop on home soil.

“I think they need to work out and need to practise or play some matches in the United States and Europe which will be more helpful for them.