SPORTACCORD 2024 INSIGHTS: Sport’s Perfect Storm
23 May 2024 14:34
The Financial Times (FT), an leading UK-based publication focusing on
international business and finance, recently selected its Women of 2014, a list
that celebrates the extraordinary women who have made their mark — as leaders,
campaigners and fighters — over the past year. This year's list told the
individual inspirational stories of 18 women, among whom was Chinese tennis icon
Li Na.
FT writes, "The Grand Slam winner is one of China's great sporting heroes. Now retiring, she is determined to coach the next generation to victory."
In an interview with FT conducted via e-mail, Li Na said, "Right now, we are in the very early stages of creating and building my [tennis] academy." The aim, she adds, is not just to train players, "but to give them a road map for establishing their own professional tennis careers. I want to teach them everything I've learnt in my 15-year career."
Li Na, born in 1982, is a former Chinese professional tennis player, who reached a career-best ranking of World No. 2 on the WTA Tour in 2013. In her career, Li won nine WTA singles titles, including two Grand Slam singles titles, at the 2011 French Open and 2014 Australian Open.
After struggling to recover from a recurring knee surgery, Li decided she had no choice but to hang up her racket. She posted a letter online on September 19, 2014 announcing her retirement and two days later, on September 21, held a press conference in Beijing, where she waved a tearful farewell to professional tennis.
Interview with Thomas Lund: to follow new trends and bring younger generations to the sport
17 Jun 2024 16:00
Related coverage
Chinese ballkids to feature at Australian Open
14 Jan 2015
31 Aug 2016
WME-IMG partners with Sequoia, Tencent, FountainVest
12 Jun 2016
CTA signs 4-year partnership deal with HEAD
11 Dec 2017
When will China have next Li Na?
18 Nov 2014
More from Yutang Sports
SPORTACCORD 2024 INSIGHTS: Touchdowns, Home Runs and Slam Dunks
12 Jun 2024
Hisense Named Official Partner of FIFA Club World Cup 2025
01 Nov 2024
Interview with Yiannis Exarchos: to narrate Olympic story in new ways and promote positive values
01 Jul 2024
Interview with Thomas Lund: to follow new trends and bring younger generations to the sport
17 Jun 2024
SPORTACCORD 2024 INSIGHTS: Sport’s Perfect Storm
23 May 2024
Yutang Sports
loading...