World number 15 Zheng Jie [ Images ] became the highest ranked Chinese player of all time this week but hopes it is just the start of an even more successful phase of her career.

The 25-year-old, a surprise semi-finalist at Wimbledon [ Images ] last year, surpassed the national record of Li Na [ Images ] -- world number 16 in January 2007 -- when the women's world rankings were released on Monday.

"You will never be a great player without ambition," she told the China Daily newspaper. "The record is not only a surprise to others, but has also provided a new challenge for me. It will be a brand new start."