Li Na facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Li Na
李娜

Li at the 2015 Australian Open
Country (sports)	China
Residence	Wuhan, Hubei, China
Born	(1982-02-26) 26 February 1982 (age 44) Wuhan, Hubei, China
Height	1.72 m (5 ft 7+1⁄2 in)
Turned pro	1999
Retired	April 2002–May 2004; 19 September 2014
Plays	Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
College	Huazhong University of Science and Technology (B.A.)
Coach	Jiang Shan (2006–2012) Thomas Högstedt (2009–2010) Michael Mortensen (2011) Carlos Rodríguez (2012–2014)
Prize money	$16,709,074 35th in all-time rankings
Int. Tennis HoF	2019 (member page)
Singles
Career record	503–188 (72.79%)
Career titles	9
Highest ranking	No. 2 (17 February 2014)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open	W (2014)
French Open	W (2011)
Wimbledon	QF (2006, 2010, 2013)
US Open	SF (2013)
Other tournaments
Tour Finals	F (2013)
Olympic Games	SF – 4th (2008)
Doubles
Career record	121–50 (70.76%)
Career titles	2
Highest ranking	No. 54 (28 August 2006)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open	2R (2006, 2007)
French Open	2R (2006, 2007)
Wimbledon	2R (2006)
US Open	3R (2005)
Other doubles tournaments
Olympic Games	2R (2012)
Medal record Representing  China Women's tennis Universiade Gold 2001 Beijing Singles Gold 2001 Beijing Doubles Gold 2001 Beijing Mixed doubles Asian Games Gold 2010 Guangzhou Team Bronze 2006 Doha Singles

Li Na (born February 26, 1982) is a famous Chinese former professional tennis player. She became a world No. 2 in women's singles, which is a very high ranking! Li won nine big tennis tournaments, including two Grand Slam titles: the French Open in 2011 and the Australian Open in 2014. These wins were super important because she was the first tennis player from Asia, both male or female, to win a major singles championship. She also reached the finals of the Australian Open twice more and the WTA Tour Championships.

Li was a pioneer for tennis in China. She was the first Chinese player to win a WTA Tour title in 2004. She was also the first to reach a major singles quarterfinal, a major singles final, and to enter the world's top ten players. By 2013, she was considered the most successful Asian tennis player of her time. Time magazine even listed her as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. Tennis legend Chris Evert said that tennis grew hugely in China because of Li.

Li retired from tennis in September 2014 when she was 32. In 2019, she was honored by being inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, another first for an Asian player.

Li Na's Tennis Journey

Li Na started playing badminton at age six, just like her father. But before she turned eight, a coach convinced her to try tennis. She joined China's National Tennis Team in 1997. The next year, with help from Nike, she studied tennis at an academy in Texas for ten months. Her favorite player growing up was Andre Agassi. She became a professional tennis player in 1999 when she was sixteen.

At the end of 2002, Li took a break from the national team to study journalism at university. She later explained that she felt sick and didn't want her life to be only about tennis.

Li returned to the national team in 2004. On January 27, 2006, she married Jiang Shan, who also became her personal coach. In 2008, Li left the state-run sports system under a new policy. This change, called "Fly Solo" by Chinese media, meant Li could hire her own coaches and manage her career more freely. She also got to keep more of her prize money, which helped her invest in her training.

In 2016, Li became a Global Ambassador for Special Olympics.

Early Professional Years (1999–2002)

Li turned professional in 1999. She quickly won many tournaments on the ITF Circuit, which is a level below the main WTA Tour. In 2000, she won 52 singles matches and eight tournament titles. She even won her first WTA doubles title that year. After winning more tournaments in 2001 and 2002, she took a break from tennis for about two years.

Returning to the Court (2004–2005)

Li Na at the 2009 US Open

Li came back to tennis in May 2004. Even though she wasn't ranked, she won 26 matches in a row and several more titles on the ITF Circuit. In September 2004, she made history by winning her first WTA Tour title at the Guangzhou International Women's Open. This made her the first Chinese player ever to win a WTA event! By the end of 2004, she was ranked in the top 100.

In 2005, Li started playing only in bigger tournaments. She reached the third round of the 2005 Australian Open, her first Grand Slam. She also made it to another WTA final in Estoril.

Breaking Records (2006–2010)

In 2006, Li made history again at Wimbledon. She became the first Chinese player to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal. Her ranking rose to world No. 20, the highest ever for a Chinese woman at that time.

Li Na at the 2008 Luxembourg Open

In 2008, Li won her second career singles title at the Gold Coast tournament in Australia. At the Beijing Olympics that year, she had an amazing run, defeating top players like Venus Williams to reach the semifinals, where she finished fourth. She also beat world No. 1 Serena Williams at the Stuttgart Grand Prix, becoming only the second Chinese player to defeat a world No. 1.

Li Na at the 2009 US Open

In 2009, Li reached her first US Open quarterfinals. She finished the year ranked world No. 15.

Li Na at the 2010 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix

The year 2010 was even better. Li reached her first Grand Slam semifinal at the 2010 Australian Open, beating Caroline Wozniacki and Venus Williams. This achievement made her the first Chinese woman ever to be ranked in the top ten of women's professional tennis. She also won the Birmingham Classic title.

Grand Slam Champion (2011)

Li Na in 2011 French Open semifinal

Li started 2011 by winning the Sydney International, beating Kim Clijsters in the final. She then reached her first Grand Slam singles final at the Australian Open, becoming the first tennis player representing an East Asian and Asian country to achieve that feat. She lost to Kim Clijsters in a close match.

After some tough matches, Li made history at the 2011 French Open. She won her first Grand Slam title, becoming the first tennis player from an East Asian and Asian country to win a major singles event! This victory was watched by 330 million people worldwide. After this win, her ranking reached a career-high of world No. 4.

Continued Success (2012–2013)

Li Na in Miami

In 2012, Li reached the final of the Sydney International again and the Italian Open. She also won her first Premier-5 event title at the Cincinnati Open, her first title since the 2011 French Open. She finished the year ranked world No. 7.

Li Na with coach Carlos Rodríguez at the 2013 US Open

Li started 2013 by winning the Shenzhen Open. She then reached her second Australian Open final, but injuries during the match made it difficult, and she lost to Victoria Azarenka. Despite this, she had a strong year, reaching the semifinals of the US Open for the first time. She qualified for the 2013 WTA Tour Championships and reached the final, which pushed her ranking to a new career-high of world No. 3. This was the highest ranking ever for a female tennis player from an East Asian and Asian country.

Australian Open Champion and Retirement (2014)

Li Na practicing at 2013 Rogers Cup in Toronto

Li started 2014 by successfully defending her title at the Shenzhen Open. At the 2014 Australian Open, she was the fourth seed. She played incredibly well, saving a match point in an early round, and went on to win her first Australian Open title! This made her the first East Asian and Asian Australian Open champion.

After reaching a new career-high singles ranking of world No. 2, Li faced some injuries. She announced her retirement from professional tennis on September 19, 2014, at the age of 32. She ended her amazing career ranked world No. 6. In 2019, she was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, a huge honor.

Li Na's Global Impact and Popularity

Li Na is known as the most successful East Asian, and Asian tennis player ever. She became one of the most famous athletes in the world. In 2013, she was featured on the cover of Time magazine and named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. Tennis legend Chris Evert said that Li's charm and witty interviews made tennis incredibly popular in China.

Li also appeared on another Time magazine cover in 2014, where she was called a world-class sports idol. She inspired millions of Chinese people to be independent and think freely. Forbes magazine listed her among the top-earning celebrities. In China, people lovingly call her "Big Sister Na" (Chinese: 娜姐; pinyin: Nàjiě). She is seen as a strong and determined role model. Her Sina Weibo social media accounts have millions of followers.

In 2015, Li received the Laureus Academy Exceptional Achievement award. She was also nominated for the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award.

Nike was Li's sponsor for many years. She used Babolat Pure Drive GT rackets. After her big win at the French Open, she signed many endorsement deals. Her agent even managed to get Nike to allow her to wear other sponsors' logos on her tennis shirt, which was very unusual!

In 2019, Peter Chan directed a movie about Li Na's life, based on her autobiography.

Li Na's Tennis Style

Li Na was an aggressive player who hit the ball hard from the back of the court. Her game relied on quick reflexes, athleticism, and powerful shots that were very accurate. Her crosscourt forehand was a favorite, hit with great speed and precision. Her backhand was also very consistent. She could hit winners from anywhere on the court.

Many experts thought Li was one of the hardest-hitting players on tour. Her serve was well-placed, often earning her aces. She was also good at defense, moving quickly around the court to turn defensive plays into attacks. Because she was also a good doubles player, she was comfortable at the net.

Sometimes, Li's shots could be inconsistent, leading to errors. Her game didn't have a lot of variety, as she mostly hit hard and flat. Her emotions could also affect her play during tough moments. However, with her coach Carlos Rodríguez, she improved her game, adding more topspin to her forehand and coming to the net more often. She also became more consistent and mentally strong.

Key Rivalries on the Court

Li Na had exciting rivalries with other top players.

Li vs. Sharapova

Li Na and Maria Sharapova had many memorable matches. Sharapova won their first five matches, but then Li won four in a row, including important semifinals at the 2009 Birmingham tournament and the 2011 French Open (where Li went on to win the title!). In 2012, Sharapova won all three of their matches, including a tough final in Rome. Li had a big win against Sharapova in the 2013 Australian Open semifinals, winning easily. Sharapova eventually led their head-to-head record 10–5.

Li vs. Radwańska

Li Na and Agnieszka Radwańska played each other 11 times, with Li leading 6–5. They had close matches, including wins for each at Wimbledon. In 2012, Li won three out of four matches against Radwańska, preventing her from becoming world No. 1. In the 2013 Australian Open quarterfinals, Li beat Radwańska, giving Radwańska her first loss of the season. Radwańska later won a very close match against Li in the Wimbledon quarterfinals.

Li vs. Clijsters

Li Na and Kim Clijsters had a well-known rivalry, playing eight times. Clijsters won 6–2 overall, including all four of their Grand Slam matches. Clijsters defeated Li in her first Grand Slam quarterfinal at Wimbledon in 2006 and again at the 2009 US Open.

One of Li's wins against Clijsters was in the final of the 2011 Sydney International, where Li made an amazing comeback. They met again two weeks later in the 2011 Australian Open final. Li won the first set, but Clijsters came back to win the title. They met again at the 2012 Australian Open, where Li had four match points in the second set but eventually lost a very close match.

Li vs. Azarenka

List of all matches

No.	Year	Tournament	Surface	Round	Winner	Score	Length
1.	2008	Gold Coast	Hard	F	Li	4–6, 6–3, 6–4	N/A
2.	2009	Tokyo	Hard	QF	Li	7–6(9–7), 4–6, 7–6(7–4)	2:11
3.	2010	Montreal	Hard	R16	Azarenka	6–3, 6–3	1:24
4.	2011	Australian Open	Hard	R16	Li	6–3, 6–3	1:24
5.	2011	French Open	Clay	QF	Li	7–5, 6–2	1:29
6.	2011	Istanbul	Hard	RR	Azarenka	6–2, 6–2	N/A
7.	2012	Sydney	Hard	F	Azarenka	6–2, 1–6, 6–3	1:56
8.	2012	Madrid	Clay	QF	Azarenka	3–6, 6–3, 6–3	1:54
9.	2012	Istanbul	Hard	RR	Azarenka	7–6(7–4), 6–3	1:39
10.	2013	Australian Open	Hard	F	Azarenka	4–6, 6–4, 6–3	2:40
11.	2013	Istanbul	Hard	RR	Li	6–2, 6–1	N/A

Li and Victoria Azarenka played eleven times. Azarenka led their overall record 6–5, but Li led 2–1 in Grand Slam matches. Li won their first meeting in a final in 2008. Azarenka won their next three matches in 2012, including the Sydney International final and matches in Madrid and the year-end championships.

Their most famous match was the 2013 Australian Open final. Li won the first set, but she suffered injuries during the match and eventually lost in three sets. Their last meeting in 2013 at the 2013 WTA Tour Championships was a strong win for Li.

Career Statistics

Grand Slam Tournament Finals

Singles: 4 (2 titles, 2 runner-ups)

Result	Year	Championship	Surface	Opponent	Score
Loss	2011	Australian Open	Hard	Kim Clijsters	6–3, 3–6, 3–6
Win	2011	French Open	Clay	Francesca Schiavone	6–4, 7–6(7–0)
Loss	2013	Australian Open	Hard	Victoria Azarenka	6–4, 4–6, 3–6
Win	2014	Australian Open	Hard	Dominika Cibulková	7–6(7–3), 6–0

Olympic Medal Matches

Singles: 1

Result	Year	Championship	Surface	Opponent	Score
4th place	2008	Summer Olympics Beijing, China	Hard	Vera Zvonareva	0–6, 5–7

Grand Slam Performance Timelines

Singles

Doubles

Li Na's Family Life

Li Na was born on February 26, 1982, in Wuhan, China. Her father, Li Shengpeng, was a badminton player who later worked in a factory. He passed away when Li Na was fourteen. Her mother is Li Yanping.

Li and her husband, Jiang Shan, have two children. Their daughter, Alisa, was born in June 2015. Their son was born on December 23, 2016. Li often playfully calls her husband 'Dennis'.

See also

In Spanish: Li Na para niños

• Tennis in China
• List of female tennis players
• List of Grand Slam women's singles champions
• Tennis performance timeline comparison (women)