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See how Serena Williams became one of the all-time greats
Despite retiring from her playing career in 2014, two-time grand slam champion Li Na still keeps an eager eye on the tennis world she left behind.
After yet another dramatic Wimbledon, the Chinese superstar is excited by the state of the women’s game and is looking forward to what will be an intriguing US Open next month.
Much of her excitement is down to the emerging talents breaking through – primarily 15-year-old sensation Cori “Coco” Gauff.
The American became a household name thanks to her heroics at Wimbledon this year where she became the youngest player to win a singles match since 1991 after defeating idol Venus Williams.
Knee problems prompted Li to announce her retirement in September 2014.
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Since retiring she's been keeping busy with numerous business interests.
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Rich list —
Li's 2011 French Open win made her one of the richest sportswomen in the world.
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Seventh heaven —
After becoming China's first grand slam singles champion in Paris, Li signed a raft of new sponsorship deals.
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Finding the balance —
Western brands seized on Li as a way of moving into the Chinese marketplace, which is traditionally one of the hardest to infiltrate.
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Sponsor deals —
Her business interests include movie and book deals, her own clothing line in China with long-time sponsor Nike, appearances in reality television shows
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Exposure —
After winning the 2014 Australian Open Li rose to a career-high No. 2 in the world that same year
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Personality counts —
Li was one of the most in-demand players on the WTA Tour, not just because of her nationality but also because of her engaging personality.
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Rose tattoo —
Li, who has a rose tattoo on her chest, became the first Chinese woman to win a WTA tournament in 2004.
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People's choice —
When Li reached the finals of the French Open in 2011, it was estimated that over 100 million Chinese watched live TV coverage of the event.
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Hands up if you're pregnant —
She has two children with her husband and former coach, Jiang Shan.
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Li Na: The mother of Chinese tennis
Magic Coco
Despite losing out to eventual champion Simona Halep, Li believes the future can be bright for the teenager having been impressed with her mentality and ball striking ability.
However, the newly inducted Hall of Famer cautions Gauff needs time to develop both as a person and a player.
“Right now is very tough for her and of course for the parents as well,” Li told CNN Sport’s Christina MacFarlane.
“She likes tennis but at the same time she has to be in school. So, you have to find the balance.”
Gauff is likely to be invited to the main draw of the upcoming US Open but, despite the huge home support which will undoubtedly greet the youngster, Li says it may take time before we see the best of the precocious talent.
“I think she is amazing,” added Li, predicting Gauff could win a grand slam in three to four years “if she’s strong enough and hungry about the title.”
It’s not just the young American exciting Li from the current roster of players. Further along in her development is Japanese sensation Naomi Osaka.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed an incredible 12 months, winning the US Open in 2018 before backing it up with victory at the Australian Open in January.
“She’s a little bit like Serena [Williams],” said Li. “You can see she’s still young, but I really like the way she’s on the court poker-faced. She just fights.”
Osaka was dumped out in the first round of Wimbledon and has fallen to second in the world but will be back playing on her favored hard courts in the next two grand slams.
“When she is number one in the world, she’s got pressure,” added the 2014 Australian Open champion. “But I still believe she will be back soon.”
Should both Gauff and Osaka need a role model to help guide them through the start of their careers, then they need look no further than Serena Williams.
The 37-year-old reached her 11th Wimbledon singles final this year as she continues her return to the game following childbirth and a battle with injury.
Despite falling just short of a record equaling 24th grand slam title, after losing to Halep in this year’s Wimbledon final, Li believes the American has a big chance to succeed at the US Open later this year.
In addition to becoming the most dominant player of her generation, Li is also astonished by her former opponent’s ability to balance her professional career with being a mom.
“Sometimes when I was watching her play on the court, I would think about how she could find the balance between family and tennis,” she said, wanting to spend every minute with her own children.
Serena Williams (right) poses with Li Na (left) in 2014.
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‘Don’t give up’
Just like Williams, Li hopes she can become a role model for the next generation of tennis players and intends to setup a tennis academy one day.
She also wants to continue the development of the sport in China and hopes her multiple television appearances and new autobiographical film can continue to raise its popularity.
“When I would pick up the racket, I just kept going,” Li said, in a message to young players around the world.
“Don’t give up and one day, for sure, your dreams will come true. Believe in yourself, you’re much stronger than you thought.”
