Two-time Grand Slam titlist Li Na of China will reportedly announce her retirement from professional tennis on Friday. This was reported by two major Chinese state television networks on Thursday. However, this development has yet to be confirmed by the Chinese tennis star and her agency, IMG.
The 32-year old has not played since her surprise third round loss at the Wimbledon Championships last July. She withdrew from the North American hardcourt tournaments, including the US Open due to ongoing knee injury.
Li won her first Grand Slam title at the French Open in 2011 and secured her second major earlier this year at the Australian Open where she defeated Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia in the final. The win propelled her ranking to world number two, a career best. She’s currently ranked sixth due to inactivity in the past few months.
The announcement is set to take place in the eve of the inaugural Wuhan Open, a Premier 5 tournament which will feature the world’s top 20, including Li. It is yet to determine if this will be her final tournament.
