Chinese tennis great Li Na is among the three icons that will be inducted this summer into the sport's International Hall of Fame. The others are Frenchwoman Mary Pierce and Russia's Yevgeny Kafelnikov.
In response to the news, Li said, “Well, for me that's everything. Many players, maybe they win a Grand Slam, but still don't have the chance to be in the Hall of Fame. Yeah well, I saw my name on the list and I was like 'You did well'. I think it's not only for myself, but it's also for China and for all the Asia."
Retired more than four years ago, Li still keeps a close eye on anything happening over the WTA. When asked who might be the next star in the women's game, the former Australian Open champion picked Naomi Osaka who won the U.S. Open last year. Li said she appreciates the way the Japanese hits the ball on the court.
Casting her eye on China's juniors, the tennis icon pointed to good young players, especially 17-year-old Wang Xiyu who won the U.S. Open junior title last year.
"It is good for Chinese tennis since those good results would not serve as pressure, but mean more chances for young players," Li said.
As the first Asian to win a Grand Slam trophy, Li retired in 2014 at the age of 32 because of recurring knee injuries, eight months after winning the Australian Open and rising to a career-high No. 2 in the WTA rankings.
Li's first Slam triumph came at the 2011 French Open, where she defeated four top 10 opponents along the way.
She was also runner-up in the Australian Open twice, in 2011 and 2013.
Those on-court achievements, along with Li's engaging personality, helped spur interest in tennis in China and Asia.
