Special: Li Na retires from tennis

Li Na announces retirement on Weibo

China’s two-time Grand Slam winner Li Na announced her retirement via Sina Weibo on Friday morning and will hold a press conference on Sunday in Beijing, according to her agent company, IMG.

The breaking news left her fans surprised, especially as it comes on a day when the Asian Games open in Incheon, South Korea, and the Wuhan Open debuts in Li's hometown.

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

But insiders thought she will not hang up her racket before playing in home tournaments.

All that has changed.

Profile of Li Na

Native: Wuhan, Hubei,China
Born: Feb 26, 1982 (age 32)
Married: Jan 27, 2006
Husband: Jiang Shan
Height: 1.72 meters
Weight: 65 kilograms
Studied: Journalism, Huazhong Institute of Science & Technology
Plays: Right handed (two-handed backhand)
Status: Turned pro in 1999
Prize money: $16,709,074, 14th in all-time rankings
Coach(es):
Jiang Shan (2006–2011)
Thomas Hogstedt (2009-2010) Michael Mortensen (2011-2012)
Carlos Rodriguez (2012-2014)

Singles
Highest ranking: World No 2 (Feb 17, 2014)
Current ranking: World No 6 (Sept 8, 2014)
Career record: 503-188 (72.79%)
Career titles: 9 WTA, 19 ITF

Grand Slam singles results:
Australian Open: Winner (2014)
French Open: Winner (2011)
Wimbledon: Quarterfinal (2006, 2010, 2013)
US Open: Semifinal (2013)

Other tournaments:
Tour Finals: Runner-up (2013)
Olympic Games: 4th place (2008)
Universiade: Gold medal (2001, Beijing); Bronze medal (2006, Doha)

Doubles
Highest ranking: No 54 (Aug 28, 2006)
Career record: 121–50
Career titles: 2 WTA, 16 ITF

Grand Slam doubles results:
Australian Open: 2nd round (2006, 2007)
French Open: 2nd round (2006, 2007)
Wimbledon: 2nd round (2006)
US Open: 3rd round (2005)

Other tournaments:
Olympic Games: 2nd round (2012)
Universiade: Gold medal in doubles and mixed doubles (2001, Beijing)
Asian Games: Gold medal in team( 2010, Guangzhou)

Coach Carlos Rodriguez

Carlos summarizes his evaluation of Li Na's performance in 2013 in one word - proud.

The rating is not only for the Chinese tennis star's most consistent year. >>>

Li Na & Friends entertains hometown fellows

Former French Open champion Carlos Moya, 2011 Wimbledon semifinalist and WTA Comeback Player of the Year Sabine Lisicki, 14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras and Chinese French Open winner Li Na pose for photos in front of the Yellow Crane Tower, or Huanghelou, a historic interest of Li's hometown Wuhan in Central China December 18, 2011.

An exhibition game named "Wuhan Tiandi 2011 Li Na & Friends" was staged in Wuhan from December 17-18 featuring the above four players. >>>

Li Na, Djokovic entertain China Open

A charity match between Novak Djokovic and Li Na was held on September 28, 2014 in Beijing. This was the first such event in the 10 year history of the China Open and featured various entertaining elements to provide the spectators with a splendid tennis feast as well as to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the tournament.

The two popular players exhibited their skill and their humorous character at the China Open. Djokovic loves to joke around and interact with children and Li is good at working with the crowd and exciting the atmosphere. There's a lot to expect in this exceptional opening event of China Open. >>>

Pete Sampras on Li's husband coaching

Be part of a tennis player that means to have a coach like a friend. She seems very happy with her husband coaching her. She's doing quite well. >>>

"If you ask me personally, I think she deserve it. Like I said to Li Na, it's how high, how big and how strong your desire is that will get you to the crown." >>>

International Fame

International brands darling

Li Na's career in photos

Li's successor?

Awards:

2014 US Open singles semifinalist;

2014 French Open doubles champion;

2013 Wimbledon tournament;

2013 WTA Tour Finals doubles champion

Awards:

2008 Wimbledon tournament singles semifinalist;

2010 Australian Open singles semifinalist;

2006 Australian Open;

2006 Wimbledon tournament doubles champion

Zhang Shuai, 25
World No 33

2013 Guangzhou Open champion;

2013 Nanjing Open (WTA 125 series) champion

Wang Qiang, 22
World No 155

2014 US Open second round;

2013 Australian Open qualifying game second round

Xu Shilin, 16

2014 Nanjing Youth Olympic Games singles champion

2 ITF singles title and 1 ITF doubles title

More about Li Na on China Daily
2011 French Open

2013 WTA Championships

2013 Wimbledon