Romance on the backburner for China's superstar spiker

Zhu Ting is happy to put romance on hold as she continues her volleyball love affair

The relationship status of China's towering captain intrigues fans, who yearn for their hero to find Mr Right-especially since teammate Zhang Changning and basketball star Wu Guanxi recently became China's latest sporting power couple.

However, the 6-foot-6 (1.98 meters) Zhu is in no rush to find true love-and when she does, he doesn't necessarily have to be a giant.

"I want my love story just like a fairytale, even though it may sound unrealistic," the 23-year-old told WeChat portal Welovevolley last weekend. "I really have no requirement on my future husband's height.

"My sister is also above 1.8 meters and her husband is just 1.7 meters, but they are still in love. As long as the gap is not too huge, I can accept him," she said.

"Right now I have no plans about when to find a boyfriend or get married."

With a trophy-laden career that includes the 2016 Olympic title, Zhu is counted among China's best-loved and most famous athletes, alongside NBA Hall of Famer Yao Ming and tennis great Li Na.

The typically humble Zhu, though, doesn't consider herself in the same orbit as those megastars.

"I'm actually very happy to hear people compare me with Yao Ming and Li Na, who are truly remarkable athletes and contribute a lot to the nation's sports development," said Zhu, who plays for Turkish club Vakifbank Istanbul.

"Although I won Olympic gold, my influence on society cannot be compared to those true megastars. But being like them is always my goal. I will learn from them."

At 23, it's strange to think of Zhu as a volleyball veteran, but the 2016 Rio MVP said age is now an issue for her on the court, with young guns like 18-year-old Li Yingying beginning to take just a little of the limelight away from her on the international stage.

"I'm afraid of injuries and being phased out as many of my teammates are much younger than me," said Zhu.

"I'm actually an old player, although I was born in 1994. Many fans might have noticed I can't score as easily as I did before, which is a problem. I need the help of my teammates more now as I try new tactics."

Despite her concerns, Zhu remains Team China's most lethal weapon at the net, as evidenced by her starring role at this year's Asian Games in Indonesia, where China claimed gold, and at the world championship in Japan, where bronze was the reward.

"Our opponents are focused on trying to minimize the impact of Zhu Ting, and even under those conditions she can still score 26 points in the semifinal of a world championship," said Team China head coach Lang Ping.

"Her burden is much heavier than before. She has to take care of attack and defense with all the pressure from the opponents. And as captain, she has to encourage the whole team. That's a lot of work.

"In Rio in 2016, she did not have to worry about these problems, but our opponents are now more familiar with her. That was inevitable, but she has matured and adapted."

Shouldering extra responsibilities has not been easy for Zhu, who rates October's world championship as the toughest tournament she's ever played.

"That was the most exhausting," said Zhu.

"I used to be the youngest on the team and all I had to do was do my best, with nothing else to worry about. I became captain in 2016, which brought added pressure. The coach asks about the team and my teammates want to talk whenever they are struggling.

"I did not have enough time to rest and I just did not have enough energy. After a tournament, one of my best friends told me the dark circles around my eyes went all the way down to my chin!"

Meanwhile, those hoping Zhu will emulate Team China's legendary leader Lang-the first volleyballer to win Olympic gold as both a player (1984 in Los Angeles) and a coach (2016 in Rio)-might be disappointed.

"Many want me to become just like my coach, Lang, but I don't think that anyone can easily match what she has achieved," said Zhu.

"My passion for playing volleyball has been what's supported me.

"For now, the best that I can do is to participate in three Olympics. But becoming a coach after that and repeating things all over again are not what I want.

"From a certain perspective, I don't want to be the next Lang."