Li Na to earn more after Aussie Open win  

李娜1400万奖金扣40%税 广告商蜂拥而至

Li Na poses with the trophy on Brighton Beach in Melbourne, Australia, Jan 26, 2014. [Photo: Xinhua /Li Jundong]

(ECNS) -- Chinese tennis star Li Na is set to earn a lot more than just the prize money after winning the title at the 2014 Australian Open, as top brands from around the world compete for her endorsement.

Li collected 2.65 million Australian dollars ($2.3 million) in prize money after winning the singles title at the Australian Open, but the Nanjing-based Yangtze Evening News estimated that Li will get only 8.4 million yuan ($1.4 million) after paying income tax in Australia. Luckily, Li need not pay tax again in China, the newspaper said.

Li Na currently endorses 13 different brands, including domestic brands such as Yili Dairy, Kunlunshan Mineral Water and Taikang Life Insurance, and international brands including Mercedes Benz, Rolex and Nike.

Li's triumph at the Australian Open will increase her chances of landing more sponsors. Wuhan Morning News cited a source as saying that endorsement invitations have crammed her agent's e-mail inbox, but the total number of brands will be unchanged.

A European luxury brand, a real estate developer and an international airline are contacting Li's team, it added.

Li opted out of the state training system after the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, and since then she has been responsible for her own financial security. The annual expenses of her team are at least 6 million yuan, to cover the cost of training, coach salary and others, the newspaper said, citing foreign media.

The outspoken Li, when asked about her motivation, answered, "Credit card."

Li is touted as the new icon of Chinese sports, and her autobiography is popular abroad, with the publisher planning to release an enlarged edition this year.

Fans on Twitter have coined a new word "Naustralia" – a combination of Na and Australia — to show their affection.

Li went back to her hometown Monday and was awarded 800,000 yuan (about $136,000) by the government of Hubei province, Hubei Daily reported.