Cover Story: Li Na – The glorious journey of a tennis icon

At the height of her career, Li Na remained refreshingly pragmatic about her success. “I acknowledge that what I achieved was unprecedented, but there will certainly be a successor,” she says. “Tennis is still in its infancy in China—it’s a relatively new sport for most people. There is still so much potential and a long journey ahead.”

“I think we shouldn’t overcomplicate things—the simpler, the happier. When I take on something, I never worry about how it will affect others. The key is to focus on your own work rather than overthinking your influence or how people will judge you.”

“We all define success differently. Some people measure it through career achievements, while others see it in family harmony. Ultimately, success is just recognition from others. But I am someone who can move on from the past very quickly. Right now, what matters most to me is taking good care of my family.”

She describes her relationship with tennis as “a love-hate relationship.” As a child, she resented the sport, feeling it had stolen her childhood and denied her the life she truly wanted. She also struggled against the harsh and often unforgiving training methods that exacerbated her long-term injuries. Early in her career, Li Na took an unexpected step—she temporarily walked away from tennis, choosing instead to focus on her journalism studies, a brief retirement not long after turning professional.

"When I first stopped in 2002, I didn’t understand why I was playing tennis. I felt lost. It felt like just another job—nothing more, nothing less."

This sentiment may not be surprising—many people don’t love their jobs. Yet society holds athletes to higher expectations, perhaps because their lives seem enviable from the outside. What is often overlooked is the gruelling reality of training, the relentless travel, the intense solitude of an individual sport such as tennis, and the immense psychological burden of competing under constant public scrutiny.

When she returned to tennis, Li Na found herself battling not just her opponents but her own internal critic. Years of negative reinforcement from her coaches had left a lasting imprint, manifesting as a relentless voice in her mind—one that constantly found fault. It is a struggle many elite athletes face, not only in their bodies but in their minds, as they navigate the weight of expectations, both their own and those imposed upon them.

Even her historic victory at Roland-Garros in 2011 did not fill her with a sense of accomplishment. Instead, she felt a profound sense of relief. In her 2013 autobiography, My Life—which is currently being adapted into a biopic directed by Hong Kong filmmaker Peter Chan—she reflected on what she was truly grateful for: the inner peace it gave her. “I no longer had to hide my face in a scarf after a match, escape to the locker room or the toilet to cry. I didn’t need to hate myself for my mistakes, and I didn’t need to torture myself in an endless cycle.”

In 2008, Li Na left the rigid structure of China’s national training system, securing an arrangement that allowed her to hire a personal coach and retain a greater share of her prize money. The impact on her game was transformative—once a powerful yet at times predictable player, she returned to the court with a more versatile and commanding style, taking her career to new heights.

After more than a decade with Rolex, Li Na believes the Swiss watchmaker provides athletes with something invaluable: the freedom to be themselves. “Rolex supports many of the world’s greatest sporting events and individuals, giving athletes a solid foundation from which to pursue their goals with courage. I think that is a very human gesture.”

Her determination to carve her own path has given her a reputation for being something of a rebel—an image she firmly rejects. In reality, she is deeply admired not just for her talent but for her personality. She is refreshingly candid, with a dry wit that has made her a favourite among fans and the media alike. Unlike many of her peers, who often deliver polished but predictable soundbites, Li Na’s interviews and victory speeches are peppered with humour and honesty, setting her apart in a world of media-trained athletes.

One of the many reasons fans adore Li Na is her candid and playful dynamic with her husband, former teammate and coach Jiang Shan, also known as Dennis. She once famously teased him in a post-match interview for keeping her awake with his snoring. When she appointed Carlos Rodriguez as her coach in 2012, she quipped, “He saved my marriage.”

A decade has passed since Li Na officially retired from professional tennis, stepping away less than eight months after winning her second Grand Slam title in Melbourne due to a serious knee injury. Much as she did during her first hiatus from the sport, she used the opportunity for personal growth, enrolling in a two-year senior management programme at the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business in Beijing in 2017.

"Beyond tennis, every field fascinates me," she said with a smile. "After all, every profession is a whole new world for me. Right now, I’m particularly interested in business. I’m starting from scratch, so I’ve chosen to study in the hope of developing new skills and elevating myself."

Li Na is also deeply committed to philanthropy. During the pandemic, she donated three million yuan to her hometown to support relief efforts. She also serves as a global ambassador for the Special Olympics, an organisation dedicated to empowering athletes with intellectual disabilities.

"Charitable work isn’t limited to a specific group—everyone can contribute within their means," she shared. "What has moved me most is my long-standing partnership with the Special Olympics. Through my interactions with the children who take part, I have seen the pure joy they experience through sport. This may seem insignificant to others, but for these children, that joy fosters confidence, helping them break free from the ‘cage’ that holds them back."

"Yet, societal recognition of people with special needs remains low. In speaking with these children, I have realised that many are afraid to leave their homes, fearing judgment from strangers. To break down these prejudices, there is still much work to be done. In recent years, I have continued my collaboration with the Special Olympics and remain dedicated to supporting their events, ensuring they have the best possible training conditions."

And that is Li Na—after years of fighting for herself, she continues to fight for others, striving to create better opportunities for athletes of all levels and backgrounds.

This article is translated from the original by Richard Lord, published in the September 2024 print issue of Tatler Hong Kong and the November 2024 print issue of Tatler Vietnam.

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