Li Na announces her retirement from tennis

China's Li Na, Asia's only Grand Slam singles champion, has announced her retirement from tennis, citing the effect of long-term injuries, especially her knees.

A former French Open winner and the reigning Australian Open champion, Li said her troublesome knees, that have plagued her throughout her career, prevented her from ever regaining full fitness and forced her hand.

"The task of finally making a decision to hang up my racquet felt a lot more difficult than winning seven matches in a row in the Australian heat," she said in a letter posted on her Facebook page.

"It took me several agonizing months to finally come to the decision that my chronic injuries will never again let me be the tennis player that I can be.

"Walking away from the sport, effective immediately, is the right decision for me and my family."

The 32-year-old, known affectionately as "Big Sister Na" and "Golden Flower" in China, won the 2011 French Open then this year's Australian Open.

She climbed to number two in the world rankings but her knees were steadily getting worse and she skipped this year's U.S. Open, triggering speculation her dazzling career was drawing to a close.

"Most people in the tennis world know that my career has been marked by my troubled right knee. The black brace I wear over it when I step on the court has become my tennis birth mark. And while the brace completes my tennis look, the knee problems have at times overtaken my life," she said.

"After four knee surgeries and hundreds of shots injected into my knee weekly to alleviate swelling and pain, my body is begging me to stop the pounding."

One of the most popular and marketable players on the tour, news of her retirement set off a flood of tributes.

The Chinese Tennis Association, in a statement released by the official Xinhua news agency, said it respected her decision and wished her the best.

"We also thank Li Na for the passionate and proud, shining moments she gave to Chinese tennis in her competitive career," it said.

Top tennis players posted notes to her on their social media accounts. Caroline Wozniacki wrote: "Li Na, one of the funniest and nicest players on tour! A great competitor and a role model both on and off the court! You will be missed!! An exciting new chapter starts today!"

Nowhere will her retirement be felt more than in her homeland, where she has inspired a generation of young Chinese tennis players and brought the professional game to her country.

For many young people in China, Li is a role model, with her steely determination, broad smile and English language skills emblematic of a confident and rising country.

(uk.eurosport.yahoo.com)

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