Li Na has a tennis job 10 years after walking away from the game as the former two-time Grand Slam champion has been announced as the new Hong Kong Open tournament director.
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Last year, the WTA 250 tournament in Hong Kong returned for the first time since 2018. And after successfully staging the tournament last year, the event is set to return this year between October 28 - November 3rd.
But this time, there will be something different to this year's tournament edition as it is set to be guided by one of the greatest Asian tennis players.
Li, who enjoyed success on the biggest stage and also achieved a career-high ranking of No. 2 before retiring from tennis in 2014, is looking forward to the challenge and hopes she can quickly develop chemistry with participants and do well in her new role.
"Hong Kongs unique culture as one of the world's most vibrant cities will appeal to players and fans alike. I am looking forward to enjoying top-tier international tennis in what is undoubtedly Asia's leading events capital. I am looking forward to witnessing the competition amongst these world-class female players. I also hope to add my own experience to help participating players push their own personal limits in achieving ... success," the 42-year-old Chinese said in a video message posted by the tournament.
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Li is set to meet Emma Raducanu!
Raducanu, who has Chinese roots because her mother was born in Shenyang, revealed after her historic 2021 US Open that Li was the player she idolized growing up and looked up to. In one of her interviews, the 21-year-old also shared that she wanted to play like the Chinese tennis icon.
And after the Briton became a Grand Slam champion in one of the most impressive ways possible and later won the Laureus Breakthrough of the Year award, the former two-time Major winner took a moment to congratulate her.
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Hey Emma, Li Na here to say congrats. Im happy that as a member of the Academy my colleagues and I have chosen you as the winner." Li said in 2022.
And the Raducanu appreciated the message very much: "Li Na, you are my favorite tennis star. I would like to say thank you. I want to meet you too. See you soon."
In August, it was announced that the British former world No. 10 signed up to play in Hong Kong - which means that she will get to meet her idol next month.
"Hong Kong has the distinction of being only one of three cities in Asia, aside from Beijing and Tokyo, to stage both an ATP and WTA Tour event. The introduction of a WTA 125 event to Hong Kong this year provides an exciting new competitive opportunity for our elite local women players, along with other 'rising stars' in the region and internationally," Michael Chang, who was the tournament director at the time, said after Raducanu signed up for the event.
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Will Zheng Qinwen come to play Hong Kong?
At this year's Australian Open, Zheng earned a hard-fought 6-4 2-6 7-6 (8) win over Wang Yafan when someone sneaked behind her back and tapped her on her butt. After turning to see who it was, the 21-year-old Chinese was left in disbelief after seeing it was her idol Li.
Later in her press, the current top-ranked Chinese tennis star couldn't hide her happiness.
"Very first time. We don't have each other's WeChat, no phone calls. We met once before when I was a junior, but not single-to-single, face-to-face. I didn't have the chance to talk with her, but today is the real first time we talk with each other," Zheng said.
When asked if he received any advice for her idol, the world No. 7 confirmed that it did happen.
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"Yeah. She said to me don't think too much, just keep simple. I think that's right now what I need to do as well, yeah," she said.
After meeting the former two-time Grand Slam champion, Zheng went on to make her maiden Slam final at the Australian Open - but there lost to Aryna Sabalenka.
Half a year later, the world No. 7 won the gold medal in her Olympic debut in Paris and then gave credit to her idol for inspiring her to play tennis.
"She is one of the women who inspired me the most. I always said she put those dream seeds inside me... The day when Li Na won a Slam, I had a dream in my heart that I want to win a Grand Slam as well," the Paris Olympics winner said.
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It will be interesting to see if Zheng now also decides to come to Hong Kong after the tournament appointed her idol.
