No regrets over retirement: Li Na

China’s two-time Grand Slam is content with her decision to hang up her boots due to persistent knee issues.

Li Na is the current Australia Open champion [AP]

Li Na, a two-time Grand Slam champion from China who took tennis in Asia to a new level, has “no regrets” about her decision to retire over long time issues with knee injuries.

Li won the 2011 French Open, becoming the first player from China to win a Grand Slam singles title, and clinched the Australian Open title in January.

She only entered seven tournaments after that, and hasn’t played since a third-round defeat at Wimbledon. She withdrew from three tournaments in August, including the US Open, citing a right knee injury.

“I’m very satisfied with my tennis career,” the 32-year-old Li said.

“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.”

Li set a host of milestones for tennis in China, including being the first Chinese player to win a WTA title, the first to win a major and the first to break into the top 20.

In the immediate future is the establishment of a Li Na Tennis Academy. In the not-too-distant future, she’s hoping to start a family.

Source: AP