--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think because I was the first Chinese…" description: "\"I think because I was the first Chinese player to win a grand slam, people were thinking: 'She's not like normal people.'\" — Li Na" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89d/li-na-16015_chinese_i-think-because-i-was-the-first-chinese_117213.png" --- # I think because I was the first Chinese player to win a… ![“I think because I was the first Chinese player to win a grand slam, people were thinking: 'She's not like normal people.'” quote by Li Na](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89d/li-na-16015_chinese_i-think-because-i-was-the-first-chinese_117213.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89d/li-na-16015_chinese_i-think-because-i-was-the-first-chinese_117213.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89d/li-na-16015_chinese_i-think-because-i-was-the-first-chinese_117213.png) > “I think because I was the first Chinese player to win a grand slam, people were thinking: 'She's not like normal people.'” [Li Na](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-na/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Breaking cultural expectations can isolate a pioneer, as others view exceptional achievement as abnormal rather than inspiring. **In simple terms:** Being first makes people see you as odd. Key Takeaway Trailblazers face alienation. Themes sports culture pioneering identity Mood determined reflective Type inspirational cultural commentary When to use this quote - first‑generation college student - women in STEM - minority athletes Key Concepts social perception Practical Applications - share personal narrative publicly - mentor others from similar backgrounds Questions to Reflect On - How does visibility affect your sense of self? - What can allies do to normalize diverse success? A Different Perspective Perceived ‘abnormality’ can also empower others to challenge norms. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chinese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chinese/) [Chinese Player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chinese-player-679355/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Grand slam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grand-slam/) [Normal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/normal/) [Normal people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/normal-people/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/player/) [Slam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slam/) [Slam People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slam-people-1376846/) [Tennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tennis/) [Think Chinese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-chinese-1376845/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) ## Related quotes > [It's not a slam at you when people are rude, it's a slam at the people they've met before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/it-s-not-a-slam-at-you-when-people-are-rude-it-s-a-slam-at-the-people/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) > [Age is nothing, can still win the Grand Slam, pretty happy about my age, more experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-na/age-is-nothing-can-still-win-the-grand-slam-pretty-happy-about-my-age/) [Li Na](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-na/) > [Obviously if there is a Chinese player that has the quality and the ability we will certainly be looking to recruit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-di-matteo/obviously-if-there-is-a-chinese-player-that-has-the-quality-and-the/) [Roberto Di Matteo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-di-matteo/) > [“You should have risen above it," I said smugly. "It's not a slam at you when people are rude -- it's a slam at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/you-should-have-risen-above-it-i-said-smugly-it-s-not-a-slam-at-you/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) > [If I'm the promoter and I've got a fighter named 'Rampage' who likes to slam people and knock them out, the last thing I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quinton-jackson/if-i-m-the-promoter-and-i-ve-got-a-fighter-named-rampage-who-likes-to/) [Quinton Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quinton-jackson/) > [Grand Slams are funny things. You have to try to find a way to get through the first week and put yourself in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lleyton-hewitt/grand-slams-are-funny-things-you-have-to-try-to-find-a-way-to-get/) [Lleyton Hewitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lleyton-hewitt/) > [I get my drive and determination from just winning and playing tennis. I know if I don't work, I won't get rewarded. It was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-stosur/i-get-my-drive-and-determination-from-just-winning-and-playing-tennis/) [Samantha Stosur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-stosur/) > [It's unbelievable, it never gets too old. The biggest goal in my career is winning Grand Slams. I don't have a great record in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-nestor/it-s-unbelievable-it-never-gets-too-old-the-biggest-goal-in-my-career/) [Daniel Nestor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-nestor/) > [I always said if I had to pick one Grand Slam to win, it would be the U.S. Open.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-roddick/i-always-said-if-i-had-to-pick-one-grand-slam-to-win-it-would-be-the/) [Andy Roddick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-roddick/) > [I'm not going to be a ten or twelve grand-slam winner. 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I treat myself after losses though, I usually go to McDonald's and I have a hamburger and you know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/venus-williams/grand-slam-losses-are-hard-i-treat-myself-after-losses-though-i/) [Venus Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/venus-williams/) > [The Open is the one that we all want and strive for and to be able to hold this Claret Jug is an incredible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mcilroy/the-open-is-the-one-that-we-all-want-and-strive-for-and-to-be-able-to/) [Rory McIlroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mcilroy/) > [I can walk around screaming, 'I have 17 Grand Slams. I have the record here or there.' 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