China netizens turn on Li Na after defeat outburst

Li Na was the object of widespread media and online criticism on the mainland yesterday, after a graceless response to her French Open defeat.

Li, who won the tournament in 2011 to seal her place as one of China's sporting stars, crashed out 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 to unseeded American Bethanie Mattek-Sands in a rain-interrupted second-round match.

At the post-match press conference, the sixth seed reacted tersely when asked if she had an explanation for her fans at home.

"Do I need to explain?" she riposted in Putonghua. "It's strange. I lost a game and that's it. Do I need to get on my knees and kowtow to them? Apologise to them?"

Her remarks sparked condemnation from mainland media and outrage from people who posted on Sina Weibo, even among her fans.

In a commentary, Xinhua sports journalist Zhang Rongfeng wrote: "Losing the game and her bad temper were direct triggers of her episode at the presser.

"But if we take a closer look, her 'unfriendliness' has a lot to do with her lack of professionalism.