China's first and only two-time Grand Slam winner LI NA "waved a tearful farewell to professional tennis" on Sunday "two days after she posted a retirement letter" on the Internet, according to XINHUA.
Li "was choked with emotions right after her opening remarks at her retirement press conference at Beijing's national tennis center 'Diamond' where the China Open is slated for Sept. 21-Oct. 5." Li:
"Thank you for you all coming here so I can have a chance to say goodbye face to face." She cited "knee injuries as her reason in the letter to quit her 15-year career." Li: "I believe retiring as a world top 10 player is a rare choice, but my body can't bear the pressure of high-level competition any more so I made the decision last weekend" (XINHUA, 9/21). REUTERS' Sudipto Ganguly reported Li, known affectionately as "Big Sister Na" and "Golden Flower" in China, "skipped this year's U.S. Open, triggering speculation her dazzling career was drawing to a close."
For many youngsters in China, "she is a role model, with her steely determination, broad smile and English language skills emblematic of a confident and rising country" (REUTERS, 9/21). The AFP reported Li said that she has "no regrets" about her decision to retire. Li: "I’m very satisfied with my tennis career." The event "was an emotional one both for Li and the nearly 200 journalists who attended her farewell."
At one point, a Chinese journalist "raised his hand to ask a question, but then suddenly went silent before breaking down into tears."
Li "responded with her characteristic wit." Holding out a tissue from her seat at the podium, she said, "Here, take this" (AFP, 9/21). In Hong Kong, Kevin Kung reported Japanese tennis player KEI NISHIKORI said that "he wants to become the man who 'leads Asian tennis'" after Li's retirement.
The 24-year-old, who is at his career high eighth in the world, "is ready to become the face of Asia after Li gave in to long-term knee injuries." Nishikori:
"I think Li Na and some other Chinese ladies have done so many amazing things for Asian tennis." Li earned more than $16M in prize money and "much more in endorsements and sponsorship." WTA Chair STACEY ALLASTER said Li was a "pioneer who opened doors to tennis for hundreds of millions of people throughout China and Asia" (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, 9/21).