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Special: Li Na retires from tennis

Updated: 2014-09-19 08:45 (chinadaily.com.cn)
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Li Na announces retirement on Weibo

China’s two-time Grand Slam winner Li Na announced her retirement via Sina Weibo on Friday morning and will hold a press conference on Sunday in Beijing, according to her agent company, IMG.

The breaking news left her fans surprised, especially as it comes on a day when the Asian Games open in Incheon, South Korea, and the Wuhan Open debuts in Li's hometown.

Speculation over Li's retirement has been rife ever since the 32-year-old pulled out of the US Open and other hard-court tournaments afterwards due to knee injuries.

But insiders thought she will not hang up her racket before playing in home tournaments.

All that has changed.

[Full text of Li Na's farewell letter]

Special: Li Na retires from tennis


Profile of
Li Na

Native: Wuhan, Hubei,China
Born: Feb 26, 1982 (age 32)
Married: Jan 27, 2006
Husband: Jiang Shan
Height: 1.72 meters
Weight: 65 kilograms
Studied: Journalism, Huazhong Institute of Science & Technology
Plays: Right handed (two-handed backhand)
Status: Turned pro in 1999
Prize money: $16,709,074, 14th in all-time rankings
Coach(es):
Jiang Shan (2006–2011)
Thomas Hogstedt (2009-2010) Michael Mortensen (2011-2012)
Carlos Rodriguez (2012-2014)

Tennis world on Li's retirement

Special: Li Na retires from tennis
She is a pioneer who opened doors to tennis for hundreds of millions of people throughout China and Asia.

- WTA Chairman & CEO Stacey Allaster

Special: Li Na retires from tennis
(I) will always have great memories of all our tough battles. Wish you the best for a new chapter in your life.

- Victoria Azarenka: four time Grand Slam winner and former world No.1

Special: Li Na retires from tennis
A truly respected athlete and person, I wish Li Na much happiness and health in her next chapters of life.

- Maria Sharapova, five time Grand Slam winner and former world No. 1

Special: Li Na retires from tennis
She made us work hard with her unprecedented professionalism. We are worried about the lack of potential young players after her retirement.

- Qing Shanglin, deputy director of China Tennis Association (CTA)

Special: Li Na retires from tennis
If she retires, it will be a loss for both Chinese tennis and tennis sport in Asia. No one can top her achievements in Asia.

- Zheng Jie, China's Grand Slam doubles winner and singles semifinalist

Special: Li Na retires from tennis
Her achievements do not put any pressure on us, but broadens our horizons as professional tennis player.
- Wu Di, the first Chinese man to play in a Grand Slam event

Special: Li Na retires from tennis
We should thank Li Na. Without her, no one would have cared about tennis or supported the Chinese players.

- Zheng Saisai, Chinese tennis player who is in Incheon

Career highlights

Singles
Highest ranking: World No 2 (Feb 17, 2014)
Current ranking: World No 6 (Sept 8, 2014)
Career record
: 503-188 (72.79%)
Career titles: 9 WTA, 19 ITF

Grand Slam singles results:
Australian Open:
Winner (2014)
French Open: Winner (2011)
Wimbledon: Quarterfinal (2006, 2010, 2013)
US Open: Semifinal (2013)

Other tournaments:
Tour Finals:
Runner-up (2013)
Olympic Games: 4th place (2008)
Universiade: Gold medal (2001, Beijing); Bronze medal (2006, Doha)

Special: Li Na retires from tennis
Special: Li Na retires from tennis

2014 Australian Open

Special: Li Na retires from tennis
Special: Li Na retires from tennis

2011 French Open

Doubles
Highest ranking:
No 54 (Aug 28, 2006)
Career record:
121–50
Career titles: 2 WTA, 16 ITF

Grand Slam doubles results:
Australian Open:
2nd round (2006, 2007)
French Open: 2nd round (2006, 2007)
Wimbledon: 2nd round (2006)
US Open: 3rd round (2005)

Other tournaments:
Olympic Games: 2nd round (2012)
Universiade: Gold medal in doubles and mixed doubles (2001, Beijing)
Asian Games: Gold medal in team( 2010, Guangzhou)

Special: Li Na retires from tennis
Shenzhen Open title
Jan 4, 2014
Special: Li Na retires from tennis
Sydney International title
Jan 14, 2011
Special: Li Na retires from tennis
Women's championship in Cincinnati, Ohio
Aug 19, 2012

Special: Li Na retires from tennis
Guangzhou Open title, Guangzhou, China
2004
Special: Li Na retires from tennis
Aegon Classic in Birmingham, England
June 13, 2010
Special: Li Na retires from tennis
Australian Women's Hardcourt Championships, Gold Coast
Jan 5, 2008
Special: Li Na retires from tennis
Shenzhen Open title, Shenzhen, China
Jan 5, 2012

Men behind Li

Special: Li Na retires from tennis

Coach Carlos Rodriguez

Carlos summarizes his evaluation of Li Na's performance in 2013 in one word - p
roud.

The rating is not only for the Chinese tennis star's most consistent year. >>>

Husband Jiang Shan

Li Na had fans roaring with laughter during her Australian Open victory speech as she thanked her agent for making her rich and gave damningly faint praise to her long-suffering husband. >>>

Special: Li Na retires from tennis

Li Na and friends

Special: Li Na retires from tennis

Li Na & Friends entertains hometown fellows

Former French Open champion Carlos Moya, 2011 Wimbledon semifinalist and WTA Comeback Player of the Year Sabine Lisicki, 14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras and Chinese French Open winner Li Na pose for photos in front of the Yellow Crane Tower, or Huanghelou, a historic interest of Li's hometown Wuhan in Central China December 18, 2011.

An exhibition game named "Wuhan Tiandi 2011 Li Na & Friends" was staged in Wuhan from December 17-18 featuring the above four players. >>>

Li Na, Djokovic entertain China Open

A charity match between Novak Djokovic and Li Na was held on September 28, 2014 in Beijing. This was the first such event in the 10 year history of the China Open and featured various entertaining elements to provide the spectators with a splendid tennis feast as well as to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the tournament.

The two popular players exhibited their skill and their humorous character at the China Open. Djokovic loves to joke around and interact with children and Li is good at working with the crowd and exciting the atmosphere. There's a lot to expect in this exceptional opening event of China Open. >>>

Special: Li Na retires from tennis

Pete Sampras on Li's husband coaching

Be part of a tennis player that means to have a coach like a friend. She seems very happy with her husband coaching her. She's doing quite well. >>>

Special: Li Na retires from tennis
WTA Championships pals

Coach Carlos Rodriguez on Li's chance for 2014 Australian Open title

"If you ask me personally, I think she deserve it. Like I said to Li Na, it's how high, how big and how strong your desire is that will get you to the crown." >>>

International Fame

ITWA ambassador Sports Personality of Year 2013
Top sports income

Special: Li Na retires from tennis

US OpenSportsmanship Award

Special: Li Na retires from tennis
Time cover girl

Special: Li Na retires from tennis
A lock for Hall of Fame

Special: Li Na retires from tennis
Building named after Li

Special: Li Na retires from tennis
Wax figure

A blast for media WTA Championships expands in Asia Forbes Celebrity 100 list

International brands darling

Special: Li Na retires from tennis
Nike

Special: Li Na retires from tennis
Haagen-Dazs

Special: Li Na retires from tennis
Rolex

Special: Li Na retires from tennis
Babolat

Special: Li Na retires from tennis
Benz

Special: Li Na retires from tennis
Crown Resort

Special: Li Na retires from tennis
Samsumg

Special: Li Na retires from tennis
Spider-tech

Li Na's career in photos

Special: Li Na retires from tennis

Li's successor?

Awards:

2014 US Open singles semifinalist;

2014 French Open doubles champion;

2013 Wimbledon tournament;

2013 WTA Tour Finals doubles champion

Special: Li Na retires from tennis

Peng Shuai, 28
World No 21

Special: Li Na retires from tennis

Zheng Jie, 31
World No 68

Awards:

2008 Wimbledon tournament singles semifinalist;

2010 Australian Open singles semifinalist;

2006 Australian Open;

2006 Wimbledon tournament doubles champion

Special: Li Na retires from tennis

Zhang Shuai, 25
World No 33

2013 Guangzhou Open champion;

2013 Nanjing Open (WTA 125 series) champion

Special: Li Na retires from tennis

Wang Qiang, 22
World No 155

2014 US Open second round;

2013 Australian Open qualifying game second round

Special: Li Na retires from tennis

Zheng Saisai, 20
World 102

2011 Guangzhou Open doubles champion;

2013 Australian Open doubles semifinalist

Special: Li Na retires from tennis

Xu Shilin, 16

2014 Nanjing Youth Olympic Games singles champion

2 ITF singles title and 1 ITF doubles title

More about Li Na on China Daily
2011 French Open
Special: Li Na retires from tennis

2013 WTA Championships
Special: Li Na retires from tennis

2013 Wimbledon
Special: Li Na retires from tennis

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