Na Li has been definitely the greatest Chinese player in history. Now ranked no.6, Na Li was the first Chinese player to win a slam (Roland Garros in 2011 and Australian Open this year).
Na Li wasn’t playing a single match after losing I the 3rd round in Wimbledon because she was struggling with her knee. (she was operated in July)
From Na Li
The Chinese posted the following statement “After four knee surgeries and hundreds of shots injected into my knee weekly to alleviate swelling and pain, my body is begging me to stop the pounding. While I’ve come back from surgery in the past, this time it felt different. As hard as I tried to get back to being 100%, my body kept telling me that, at 32, I will not be able to compete at the top level ever again.”
From the WTA
Stacey Allaster, the WTA’s CEO, commented “I am sad to hear that she has retired.
“In addition to her amazing tennis abilities and her warm and humorous personality, she is a pioneer who opened doors to tennis for hundreds of millions of people throughout China and Asia. Her legacy is immense and I have no doubt that her contributions to the WTA will be seen for decades to come. It’s hard to be a household name in a nation with 1.4 billion people, but that’s what Li Na is.”
Na Li has won 9 career titles and she has reached 12 finals.
That was a great run and great fun. The tennis world will miss you!
