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That followed Yan Xi and Zheng Jie’s earlier grand slam doubles glory in 2006.
In the space of 10 years, which yielded six major titles between them, these four trailblazers changed the perception of tennis in China forever and inspired the next generation.
Peng, now 33, and playing at this week’s Kooyong Classic said when she started her journey in professional tennis things were a lot different.
“There was only one WTA event in China when I was 18, but now there’s a masters final and a number of professional events it has grown so much in those years,” Peng said.
But the growth of tennis in China has not yet translated to success in the men’s game.
Ze Zhang, at a ranking of 217, and Zhe Li (261) are the only two Chinese men currently inside the top 300.
In stark contrast, China has three women now in the top 50 - Wang Qiang at 21, Zheng Saisai (39) Zhang Shuai (40) with Wang Yafan ranked at 64.
When looking at the huge difference in China’s battle of the sexes, Peng is at a loss to understand why.
“Maybe the men go and play ping pong, I don’t know,” she said at Kooyong with a laugh.
“I think with success the women had earlier, it encouraged girls to play and now we have a lot better junior events in China to encourage competition.”
Peng said there have been four pivotal moments in Chinese tennis, the first when Li Ting and Sun Tiantian won the country's first ever Olympic tennis gold, capturing the doubles crown at the 2004 Athens Games.
“Olympic gold is very big in China, it was a huge moment,” Peng said.
The second moment was Yan Zi and Zheng Yi winning the first ever grand slam title in doubles at the Australian Open in 2006.
And of course, Li Na’s two grand slam singles titles at the French Open in 2011 and at Melbourne Park three years later.
Peng modestly leaves out her own US open singles semi-final and grand slam doubles titles, but said the women winning major titles in the past 15 years have changed perception and placed a greater expectation on the top ranked female players in China, compared to their male counterparts.
“Now there’s pressure also for the juniors and the players coming through, from the fans, because they have seen the success and they understand and respect the grand slams and the champions, so now I think it’s not that easy," she said.
"When I was first on tour and the Chinese players played well, the fans thought how amazing they were but now they expect a much higher performance so it’s not easy for the players now.”
Former WTA managing director of Asia Pacific and tournament director of the Kooyong Classic, Peter Johnston has witnessed the explosion in tennis interest in China during this period.
Based in Beijing, he saw women’s top level professional events increase from three in 2012 to eight this year, including a 10-year contract for Shenzen to host the tour ending WTA finals starting this year.
Johnston said the influence - largely of Li Na and Peng Shuai - and a more nimble and flexible women’s professional tour pushing into China, has driven the growth.
“Suddenly you had a greater spread of tournaments, that stimulates interest in different regions of the country and the Li and Peng affect in spreading the word, all that inspired young women to play tennis in China,” Johnston said.
“The difference in men’s tennis, is there is less men’s professional showcase events in China and they haven’t had a core group of elite men that have been able to bounce off each other, like the women, and spur each other on.
"Training methods and development paths are getting better but the Chinese have to make sure their men’s players travel more for a more global experience”
There are currently four men’s top tier events in China, underpinned by a number of challenger tournaments in the regions.
Johnston said if a Chinese men’s star were to emerge, it would have a significant flow-on effect.
"I think it’s not an absolute but it would add enormously because it would stimulate every desire to stage more men’s tournaments, more exhibitions there would be more TV time and stimulate more government investment,” he said.
