Li Na retires from tennis

Tennis star Li Na is the most commercially valuable sports star in China. [Photo by Zou Hong / China Daily]

Finally here it goes: Li Na quits

The Chinese two-time Grand Slam winner announced her retirement via Sina Weibo on Friday morning and will meet reporters on Sunday in Beijing, according to her agent company, or IMG.

The breaking news made her long-waiting fans' mouth wide-open as it falls on the day that the Asian Games opens in Incheon, South Korea, and the Wuhan Open is inaugurated in Li's hometown.

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

Insiders then doubted the home favorite would hang up the racket after her home soil tournaments.

But all happens early.

Li Na's farewell letter

For close to fifteen years, we've been a part of each other's lives. As a tennis player representing China on the global stage, I've trekked around the world playing hundreds of matches on the WTA tour, for China's Fed Cup team, at the National Games and at several Olympic Games. You've always been there for me, supporting me, cheering me on, and encouraging me to reach my potential.

Representing China on the tennis court was an extraordinary privilege and a true honour. Having the unique opportunity to effectively bring more attention to the sport of tennis in China and all over Asia is something I will cherish forever. But in sport, just like in life, all great things must come to an end. [Read more...]