By Erik Gudris | Thursday, September 18, 2014
Chinese state television reported that Li Na will announce her retirement on Friday despite no official confirmation yet from the Australian Open champion.
Photo Credit: Corleve
Is Li Na retiring?
That's the answer everyone in the tennis world wants to find out after speculation grew Thursday on the future of the Chinese star's career.
With the inaugural Wuhan Open WTA tournament commencing next week in Li's hometown, the biggest news may be made off-court if the two-time Grand Slam champion does make the announcement as early as Friday.
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On Thursday, two Chinese state television networks reported that Li would announce her retirement on Friday at the new Wuhan event.
Li herself, nor anyone from her management team, commented on the story. The WTA also released no updates or response about the Chinese reports.
Several weeks ago at the US Open, CBS tennis analyst Mary Carillo made a comment on air that the 32-year-old Wuhan native would indeed retire. Li's longtime agent Max Eisenbud shot down that idea in an email to China Daily several days later. The current lack of response now from anyone associated with Li only added to the speculation from many on social media Thursday that indeed the rumor is actually true.
Li, who has not competed since a third round loss earlier this summer at Wimbledon, has dealt with ongoing knee injuries throughout her career. Post-Wimbledon, Li also parted ways with her coach of two years Carlos Rodriguez. Due to her knee injury, Li then withdrew from all summer hard court events including the US Open.
After winning this year's Australian Open back in January, the popular Chinese star reached a career high ranking of No. 2 in the world. Li is now ranked No. 6 due to her long layoff. The new Wuhan tournament is, in large part, a reality due to Li's metoric rise in popularity and name recognition, especially in China, after her 2011 French Open victory made her the first ever Chinese player and first from Asia to win a Grand Slam title.
If Li does announce her retirement, questions remain if she intends to play at the Wuhan Open where she is currently in the draw or if she will compete during the rest of the remaining season. That also includes the upcoming WTA Championships in Singapore where Li is still in contention for qualification at the eight woman year-end event.
Main draw play at the Wuhan Open, which features all top 20 WTA players, is scheduled to start on Monday.