It is the second time Li Na was nominated for the award in Laureus, an Oscar-like ceremony after she became a candidate in 2012.
China's last standing junior tennis ace in the Asian games says that she's inspired by Li Na's success but is determined to take her own path regardless of the expectations for her to become the next Li Na.
Tennis fans around the world might have no chance to see Li Na swing for a shot in real matches, but they could still enjoy her charm and humor under spotlight for at least two years.
World No 1 Novak Djokovic of Serbia (left) and Rafael Nadal enjoy the occasion, Sept 29, 2014.
Chinese twice Grand Slams winner Li Na, right, poses with Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki during a brief retirement ceremony during the 2014 WTA Wuhan Open tennis tournament in Wuhan city, Central China's Hubei province, September 23, 2014.
The two-time Grand Slam champion from China who took tennis in Asia to a new level officially announces her retirement at a press conference in Beijing.
A farewell letter from tennis ace Li Na announcing her retirement ended speculation about her future Friday.
While Wuhan is hosting its first ever WTA premier-level tournament, Li Na, unquestionably the biggest reason for Chinese fans to watch it, announced retirement on Friday due to persistent knee injuries, which put an end to Asia's most successful tennis career.
Chinese tennis trailblazer and reigning Australian Open champion Li Na today brought down the curtain on a glittering 15-year professional career with the announcement of her official retirement from the Women's Tennis Association (WTA).
"Li Na has been a fun, powerful, and wonderful player on the WTA tour and, along with her fans, I am sad to hear that she has retired. In addition to her amazing tennis abilities and her warm and humorous personality, she is a pioneer who opened doors to tennis for hundreds of millions of people throughout China and Asia.
China's first and only Grand Slam winner formally announces her retirement in this heartfelt letter published here in its full-length, unedited version.
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.
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