Li Na opened WTA Finals in Singapore

Witty, charming Li Na did not show up at the Singapore Sports Institute (SSI) yesterday. Not initially at least, as the two-time Grand Slam winner first peeked tentatively into a roomful of young fans and local athletes eagerly anticipating her arrival.But once warmed-up, the 32-year-old Chinese superstar was clearly in her element, drawing laughter with her witty, easy-going humour. Whether it was “fat” jokes about her husband or recounting her memory loss after winning the French Open — she got drunk at the Chinese embassy — it was all lapped up by her audience.

There is no doubt that Li Na — the player dubbed a “breath of fresh air” by tennis great Chris Evert — will be missed on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tour after announcing her retirement from professional tennis last month due to long-term knee injuries.She may have smashed her way into the history books by becoming the first Asian player to win a Grand Slam singles title — the French Open in 2011 — and amassing nine WTA titles over her 15-year professional career, including a second Grand Slam at this year’s Australian Open, but the significance of her achievements is only just sinking in for the superstar herself.

“When I look back to when I first started playing tennis till now, tennis has totally changed my life. When I started, I thought becoming national champion was very good already. I never thought that one day I can fulfil 15-year-old Li Na’s dream,” she said.“It’s not easy doing the same thing for over 25 years. I retired once (in 2002), and then I came back. But this time was special because my body couldn’t handle it anymore.

“It is a job, but a job that I love very much and I’m willing to sacrifice for. I will miss the challenge, not only on-court but off-court there are a lot of other challenges that you have to overcome like the time difference and weather.”A product of China’s tough-love sports system, Li Na is ready to give back to the sport that made her one of China’s most successful athletes, with some US$24 million (S$30.5 million) in career winnings and endorsements.

Aside from spending more time with her loved ones and starting a family with her husband, Jiang Shan, the nine-time WTA winner plans to open a tennis academy in China.

She added: “I hope I can do something for tennis. I hope my tennis academy will allow for youngsters to study and train, and when they reach 18 years old, they can chose whether to study in university or turn professional. I will give them a choice.

“The whole situation in Asian tennis is much better than in the past. Everyone can see that Asian tennis has lots of room for growth. After the US Open ended, there were over 20 tournaments in Asia.

“Of course it’s good for the kids as they can see the top players up close and interact with them. I think that the kids in the future will be much better than Li Na.”

Here in Singapore as an ambassador for the on-going BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore, Li Na — who leaves today for a work appointment in New York — made a special cameo at yesterday’s opening ceremony.

She may sport a rose tattoo on her chest and call herself a “spicy” player, but Li Na also has a sentimental side. Asked for her prediction for the winner of the WTA Finals, she said: “I wish (Petra) Kvitova can win, as I like her. I like her style and the way she plays, and also because she’s a pretty good friend and I hope she can do well.”

Kvitova, 25, had paid a teary tribute to Li Na at her farewell at this year’s China Open, and Li Na joked: “When I was coming here, I told her if she hadn’t spoken, I wouldn’t have cried!”