Market growing despite Li Na's exit

Despite the lack of homegrown stars shining on the world stage, the popularity of tennis remains strong enough to sustain a growing number of tournaments in China, said business insiders.

With the 2016 Australian Open swinging into action earlier this week, the absence of Chinese players in the main draw following the retirement of two-time Grand Slam champ Li Na has cast a shadow on the sport's fledgling market in China, where a record 12 men's and women's international events will be held this year.

However, tournament organizers and executives of sports-marketing agencies take a positive view of the game's allure.