gary speed photo: Li Na Wallpaper

Li Na (Chinese pinyin: Lǐ Nà) is the most famous female professional tennis player in China. She was born on February 26, 1982 in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. Li was a badminton player at the beginning but then switched to tennis at the age of 9 and in 1999 she became a professional tennis player. In 2008, she quit the national team and plays tennis for herself which is called “Fly Alone” by Chinese media. She became free to select her own coaches and kept more of her winnings. Compare to the 65% previously, she now only pays 8 -12% of her winnings to the government.

Li has won 5 WTA and 19 ITF singles titles. She is currently ranked World No. 4 by WTA after she won the 2011 French Open singles title against the 5th seed and defending champion Francesca Schiavone in the final.