\\\'No regrets\\\' for retiring Li Na at emotional farewell

FE Team | Published: September 22, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

BEIJING: Chinese tennis star Li Na reacts as she answers questions during a press conference here Sunday. — AFP Photo

BEIJING, Sept 21 (AFP): Pioneering Chinese tennis star Li Na said Sunday she has "no regrets" about her decision to retire over persistent knee injuries, but wiped away tears as she acknowledged she thought long and hard about the decision.
The two-time Grand Slam winner was making her first public remarks since she announced her shock retirement via social media Friday.
"I'm very satisfied with my tennis career," the 32-year-old Li told a news conference at China's National Tennis Centre, which hosts the China Open later this month.
"I feel this is the best time for me to retire. I don't feel sorry or have any regrets about retiring. When I was making this decision, I asked myself, 'If I retire, will I regret it?'"
"My heart told me I wouldn't, because I've done my best," she said.
The event was an emotional one both for Li and the nearly 200 journalists who attended.
At one point, a Chinese journalist raised his hand to ask a question, but then suddenly went silent before breaking down into tears.
Li responded with her characteristic wit.
"Here, take this," she said, holding out a tissue from her seat at the podium and holding back tears of her own.