At the pinnacle of her career, Na Li stunned the world by announcing her retirement effect immediate on Fri, Sep 19. The Chinese trailblazer was expected to take part in the inaugural edition of her hometown premiere event in Wuhan, but an ailing body proved too much to handle. A recurring knee injury that forced her to miss the entire North American season, eventually led to Li deciding to hang up the racquet.
"I'm very proud of myself. After writing my letter and thanking so many people, I realized I've never taken even just a little time to thank myself. Now, at the age of 32, I want to thank the Li Na at the age of 15. It's because of the perseverance in my youth that I was able to achieve my goals."
It's common knowledge how much this player has done for Asian tennis. In addition to being the highest ranked Asian ever in singles (male or female) and its only Grand Slam champion (again male or female), Na Li's funny personality won over the world. She was twice named among the world's most influential people by Forbes, while her sky-rocketed popularity generated a huge tennis boom in China.
She will always be remembered for her on court fierce display, as well as for her witty, humerous speeches and interviews. While Miss Na Li will be deeply missed, she surely leaves her country's squad in good shape. Doubles specialist and Asia's first male or female No.1, Shuai Peng, just reached the semis at the US Open, while a slew of youngsters are starting to make a name for themselves. Therefore, China is quickly emerging as one of the most important tennis powerhouses.
"I believe Chinese tennis will enjoy a bright future," said Li. I don't want to compare myself with other tennis players, because everyone comes from a different background and we've all grown up in different circumstances, but I definitely believe Chinese tennis will get better in the future."
But tennis is just one chapter in this amazing woman's life. Asked about what her plans for the future are, Li said: "After retirement, I want to set up a tennis institute and engage in children's charities to help more kids. Also, after so many years of competition on the courts, I really want to make it up to my friends and family members, because on holidays and weekends we really had little time to get together with each other. And of course, I believe there will be a day that I will become a mother. We will see."
Let's relive the moments that made Na Li the hero of billions and billions of hearts! Goodbye, funny girl!
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| SYDNEY 2011: Na Li won her fourth WTA title defeating the greatest tennis mom, Kim Clijsters, in the final. |
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| AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2011: Na Li became the first Asia to reach a Grand Slam final, saving match point against world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki in the semifinals. The Chinese came close, but was unable to deny super mum Kim Clijsters the completion of her Aussie Kim prophecy. |
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| ROLAND GARROS 2011: Na Li wrote tennis history, becoming the first Asian (male or female) to win a Grand Slam. She defeated Italian reigning champ, Francesca Schiavone, in the final. |
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| CINCINNATI 2012: Li got back to winning ways coming from behind to deny Angelique Kerber in the final. |
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| AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2013: Na Li once again made it to the final in Melbourne, but a series of injuries prevented her from playing her best. She eventually succumbed to world No.1, Vika Azarenka, 4-6,6-4,6-3. |
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| WTA CHAMPIONSHIPS 2013: The Chinese trailblazer ended 2013 on a high, reaching the final at the WTA Championships in Istanbul where she succumbed once again to world No.1, Serena Williams. |
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| SHENZHEN 2014: Li defended a title for the first time in her career, holding off the challenge of her compatriot Peng Shuai. |
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| AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2014: After so many near-misses, Li has finally crowned herself Australian Open champion ending Dominika Cibulkova's dream run. |
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| WIMBLEDON 2014: Li played her last professional match at Wimbledon where she lost 7-6,7-6 to Czech Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova in the third round. |
photos: GETTY IMAGES
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