World and Olympic table tennis champion Zhang Yining's career remains up in the air.

The 27-year-old got married in October of last year and rumors grew that her retirement from the sport was imminent.

After three months of speculation, the former women's No 1, dubbed the "ping-pong diva", showed up at the national squad's training base but chose to let the question marks linger.

"I understand everyone wants to know if I'm going to retire but I still haven't made up my mind. I'm still on holidays," Zhang said at a press conference in Nantong, Jiangsu province, on Sunday.

"After so many years as a professional player, my body and heart run like a machine under high pressure. I just need some time now to make adjustments."

Picking up the paddle at the age of five at the Shichahai sports academy, the Beijing native has won 10 titles at the Worlds, including two singles, three doubles and five team crowns.

She won the singles and doubles gold medals at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and then defended the singles title at the Beijing Games and also led China to the women's team championship.

Having equaled former table tennis legend Deng Yaping as a four-time Olympic gold medalist, Zhang could become the first player in the sport to win the Olympic singles title three times in a row at the London Olympic Games in 2012.

However, after defending her singles title at October's National Games, Zhang married businessman Xu Wei and, since then, has hardly picked up a paddle.

"I really miss everybody. My teammates, the fans and the media. You witnessed my growing from a little girl to the backbone of the team, you have been with me during the ups and downs.

"I watched the team on TV and even had them in my dreams sometimes. "

However, she admits she needs time to relax after years of training.

"When I was in the team my biggest wish was to get up when I naturally woke up. Now it's a dream come true," Zhang said.

"If I choose to retire now there will be no regrets. I know I still have the potential to do much more but I also hope young players can get more chances and take on the responsibility.

"If I make the decision (to continue), I'll keep working hard for every goal. But there is no hurry and the decision is yet to be made."

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