Li Na: The mother of Chinese tennis | CNN

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Li Na: The mother of Chinese tennis

Updated 12:39 PM EDT, Thu March 30, 2017
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Li Na retired from tennis in 2014.
Li Na retired from tennis in 2014.
Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Knee problems prompted Li to announce her retirement in September 2014.
China's tennis star —
Knee problems prompted Li to announce her retirement in September 2014.
MAL FAIRCLOUGH/AFP/Getty Images
Since retiring she's been keeping busy with numerous business interests.
Since retiring she's been keeping busy with numerous business interests.
Graham Denholm/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Li's 2011 French Open win made her one of the richest sportswomen in the world.
Rich list —
Li's 2011 French Open win made her one of the richest sportswomen in the world.
AFP/Getty Images
After becoming China's first grand slam singles champion in Paris, Li signed a raft of new sponsorship deals.
Seventh heaven —
After becoming China's first grand slam singles champion in Paris, Li signed a raft of new sponsorship deals.
AFP/Getty Images
Western brands seized on Li as a way of moving into the Chinese marketplace, which is traditionally one of the hardest to infiltrate.
Finding the balance —
Western brands seized on Li as a way of moving into the Chinese marketplace, which is traditionally one of the hardest to infiltrate.
Getty Images
Her business interests include movie and book deals, her own clothing line in China with long-time sponsor Nike, appearances in reality television shows
Sponsor deals —
Her business interests include movie and book deals, her own clothing line in China with long-time sponsor Nike, appearances in reality television shows
AFP/Getty Images
After winning the 2014 Australian Open Li rose to a career-high No. 2 in the world that same year
Exposure —
After winning the 2014 Australian Open Li rose to a career-high No. 2 in the world that same year
AFP/Getty Images
Li was one of the most in-demand players on the WTA Tour, not just because of her nationality but also because of her engaging personality.
Personality counts —
Li was one of the most in-demand players on the WTA Tour, not just because of her nationality but also because of her engaging personality.
Getty Images
Li, who has a rose tattoo on her chest, became the first Chinese woman to win a WTA tournament in 2004.
Rose tattoo —
Li, who has a rose tattoo on her chest, became the first Chinese woman to win a WTA tournament in 2004.
Getty Images
When Li reached the finals of the French Open in 2011, it was estimated that over 100 million Chinese watched live TV coverage of the event.
People's choice —
When Li reached the finals of the French Open in 2011, it was estimated that over 100 million Chinese watched live TV coverage of the event.
AFP/Getty Images
She has two children with her husband and former coach, Jiang Shan.
Hands up if you're pregnant —
She has two children with her husband and former coach, Jiang Shan.
Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
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