Li Na
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Li Na

Li Na
Li Na
Won the 2011 French Open women's singles tennis title, becoming the first player from China to win a grand slam in singles. She also reached the final of the 2011 Australian Open.
Born
26 Feb 1982
Industry
Sport
Job Title
Athlete
The Hong Kong Open, won this year by Diana Shnaider of Russia, received the award for the second time, after first winning in 2018. Photo: May Tse
WTA (Women's Tennis Association)

Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open wins WTA 250-level tournament of the year award

The ‘M’ Mark event claims the annual award ahead of 22 other WTA International Series events held around the world in its category.

WTA (Women's Tennis Association)

Players at Hong Kong Open tennis looked tired, should manage schedules, says Li

Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open

China’s recent tennis success no fluke but reflects genuine progress, Li Na says

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

China’s centralised sports system spurs debate after Paris Olympics

Gold showing by tennis star Zheng Qinwen renews debate over the state’s role in sports that has endured for decades, cranking out medals but quelling marketisation.

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China’s Zheng Qinwen kisses her gold medal. Photo: Reuters
Style Edit

Style Edit: Rolex Shanghai Masters returns, Asia’s biggest tennis tournament

The event is Asia’s most important tennis tournament and will see Shanghai again host the world’s best tennis players, including current Rolex testimonies Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune

US Open (tennis)

China’s women reach new heights at US Open, fab 4 into last 32

Zheng Qinwen and Yuan Yue join Wang Xiyu and Zhang Shaui in third round at Flushing Meadow.

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WTA (Women's Tennis Association)

Li Na thanks husband for ‘giving up dream’, he regrets she was never No 1

China’s most successful star and husband Jiang Shan speak frankly in interview for Hunan-based Mango TV.

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Li Na of China kisses the championship trophy after defeating Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia in their women's singles final at the 2014 Australian Open. Photo: AP
US Open (tennis)

Zhang’s US Open win completes Chinese ‘golden slam’

Chinese players have now won at least one title at every major, as well as Olympics gold, after women’s doubles triumph in New York.

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Wimbledon

Profile | Who is Britain’s Chinese-Romanian teen tennis star Emma Raducanu?

‘London, Toronto, Bucharest, Shenyang’ writes 18-year-old Li Na and Simona Halep fan Raducanu in social media bio as fans and Wimbledon prize money rack up.

French Open

China’s French Open hopes take a hit with doubles losses

Four of China’s five women’s doubles players out in second round with only No 13 seed Zheng Saisai still involved in Paris.

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Chinese pair Zhang Shuai (left) and Xu Yifan react during their 2021 French Open women's doubles second round loss to Karolina Pliskova and Kristyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic. Photo: Xinhua
Australian Open 2021

Opinion | China sport still punching below its weight

Country is thriving off the pitch in sponsorship and hosting events such as Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics but lagging behind on it.

China’s Olympic team will be in action at Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 in the next 12 months but sporting success appears to be stagnating. Photo: EPA
French Open

Chinese consulate slams ‘fake news’ Li Na has changed nationality

Topic trends on Weibo after image of an application to Busan consulate in South Korea was uploaded on Monday.

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Sun Yang

Editorial | A test of fair play in the sporting arena

The banning of Chinese swimming superstar Sun Yang, accused of being a drug cheat, misses the point that there are two sides to every story, so a rehearing of his case is justified.

French Open

French Open: China’s Zhang soars into career best round of 16

World No 39 Zhang Shuai becomes first Chinese player in French Open fourth round at Roland Garros since Li Na in 2012 after hard-fought win over teen Clara Burel.

China's Zhang Shuai reacts during the women's singles third round match against France's Clara Burel in the 2020 French Open. Photo: Xinhua
French Open

Li Na’s French Open win opened the door for Chinese and Asian tennis

The Wuhan native’s victory over Francesca Schiavone in Paris in 2011 was first singles grand slam for an Asian tennis player and former world No 2 handed 2019 Australian Open to Naomi Osaka.

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Li Na of China kisses the trophy after winning her women's final against Francesca Schiavone of Italy at the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris on June 4, 2011. Photo: Reuters
Naomi Osaka

Osaka sets record for 12-month earnings by female athlete

Japanese tennis star eclipses Maria Sharapova’s 2015 benchmark of US$29.7 million, earning US$1.4 million more than Serena Williams in last 12 months.

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Sun Yang

Sun Yang must learn that image matters

Superstar swimmer may be innocent of taking drugs but he does himself no favours with his often abrasive attitude.

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Coronavirus pandemic

Former Chinese rowing world champion loses husband to coronavirus

Olympian’s son and mother-in-law also diagnosed with the disease but are recovering.

Pei Jiayun joins the 2008 Beijing Olympics torch run when it arrives Hubei Province. Photo: Hangout
Coronavirus pandemic

Sports stars send money, supplies and support to Wuhan

David Beckham, Sun Yang and Jeremy Lin among stars supporting Wuhan coronavirus fight as growing number of Chinese athletes and clubs offer help as city battles outbreak.

Coronavirus pandemic

Retired tennis star Li Na donates 3 million yuan to help fight epidemic

Retired tennis ace Li Na and other Wuhan sports stars make donations to help hometown fight against deadly coronavirus

Australian Open 2021

Opinion | Slam or superstar – what’s next for Chinese tennis?

Wang Qiang’s Australian Open run shows Chinese tennis in need of a new star to follow in Li Na’s footsteps.

Wang Qiang serves during the Australian Open fourth round match against Ons Jabeur. Photo: Xinhua
Fame and celebrity

How Li Na plans to nurture China’s tennis champions of tomorrow

Li Na made history as the first Asian-born tennis player to win not just one but two Grand Slam titles – but since retiring five years ago, what has the Chinese champion been plotting next?

Li Na in her quarter-final win over Andrea Petkovik of Germany in the 2011 Australian Open. Photo: Shutterstock
World-class tennis action

Video | China’s Li Na enters International Tennis Hall of Fame

Wimbledon

Halep wants ‘revenge’ as Zhang aims to better Li Na

China’s only grand slam event winner only reached quarter-finals at the All-England Club three times

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

China’s ‘country above all’ view comes at a cost for nation’s female athletes

Stars recalled from foreign contracts as country begins preparations for next year’s Olympics.

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China head Coach Jia Xiuquan hands the ball to Wang Shuang during a Fifa Women’s World Cup match. Photo: Xinhua
Wimbledon

Serena Williams v Li Na? Only in motherhood

China tennis pioneer Li Na back at Wimbledon and still wowing fans. Photo: Christopher Johnson

Where is the new Li Na? China’s tennis legend asks the question

Rich and rested: China’s Li Na tops list of highest-earning retired women sports stars

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