"I was like, Okay, now I see the tennis player was free": Two time Grand Slam champion Li Na lauds hero Andre Agassi
Tennis NewsMonday, 10 July 2023 at 03:30
Two-time
Grand Slam champion Li Na praises tennis legend Andre Agassi.
The former
Chinese tennis player has been retired since 2014 and had an impressive career,
winning the 2011 French Open and the 2014 Australian Open. She was the first
Asian, male or female, to reach a Grand Slam final in singles and also the
first to win it.
The Asian
star recently commented on Andre Agassi in the series "My Wimbledon
Memories," where she praised the American and referred to him as an idol
and former world No. 1.
"My
idol is Andre Agassi," Li Na said.
"Yeah,
I love the way he plays on the court. When I was very young, I saw the
television, I saw, oh a tennis player can be like that, you know. Because
during that time he had long hair."
Li Na also
highlighted that Agassi "didn't care about what the people said."
"I was
like, Okay, now I see the tennis player was free, you know. he didnt care about
what the people said, and he would just do it his way," she added.
"I felt i wass winning all of the world" - Chinese tennis star Li Na
Li Na highest ranking was world No. 2 when she surpassed Victoria Azarenka in early 2014. That same year, due to a knee injury, she missed the US Open and subsequently decided to retire from tennis at the age of 32. She had accumulated over 500 wins and 9 titles throughout her career.
The Chinese
former tennis player reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon three times (2006,
2010, 2013), but she never managed to go beyond that stage. Nevertheless, she
fondly recalled her appearances at the All England Club:
"When
I won a match on Centre Court, I felt I was winning all of the world," Li
Na said.
Li Na
finished three consecutive years in the top 10 and five in the top 15. She is
also a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame since 2019.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- I love WTA matches. Seek them out as much as possible on youtube and other platforms I already subscribe to. With that in mind, I do not wish to pay $$$ to a notoriously slippery subscription conglomerate sports broadcaster (like SkySports) just for the privilege to watch it and the tnt/eurosport/discovery subscription went from $$ to $$$+ annually in a blink of an eye. With ATP I have been begrudgingly paying xyz tennis only channel and try to catch up on slams elsewhere (pubs, youtube with USO later on games are just as enjoyable to watch and a smart move to upload on their official channel) but they don't cover WTA. I tried another Tennis dedicated channel that advertised originally as broadcasting where I live, but turned out, they took the money, but didn't cover the matches (only fluff/filler value documentaries). I don't understand why it is so hard to not lock the live matches to one broadcaster only refusing so many people who are happy to pay for the privilege just not through that one entry point. WTA is so exciting for the last few years and they really should capitalise on it as much as possible. And I know it is somewhat naive talking without knowing the inner works, but not being able to find any WTA other than youtube (and then only highlights mostly) is just so frustrating.JayJay11-09-2026
- Clearly not AI :-)
AceOfBase11-09-2026 - Oh my God!! Does anyone proofread these pages??? Case in point: However, the question mark over the 32-years-old head......???? No! No! No! However, the question mark over the 32-year-old's head...good grief man, hire a proofreader. This article is rife with errors making some sentences very difficult to read. I had to stop. I am a proofreader hence my disgust.Rapunzel10-09-2026
- Iga needs to make a decision whether she wants to continue the sport of tennis or pursue whatever she has going on in her personal life. One can tell that tennis is no longer an interest of hers. She should retire while she is on top, not when she slides to the bottom of the rankings. She has too much talent to look how she does on the court these days. She looks more like a wild card than a champion.crissy09-09-2026
- Looks like tennis has become a part of the American Oligarchy. As usual, Pegula is given a cupcake draw. With all her money, they have to fixed the draws in her favor in order to raised the trophy.crissy09-09-2026
- Huge win for Ben! He needed this. Amazing that Alcaraz took over four months off and still was able to make the QF’s and take Ben to a fifth set tie break! Insane tennis. Tiafoe vs. Shelton should be a good one too. Americans might finally get their US Open Champion after 23 years!DaveyWavey09-09-2026
- No one else would get away with this but these AMERCANS! It’s the US Open!! In America!! But sure, go off American ;)DaveyWavey08-09-2026
- WOW !!! Her comebacks have been intense. She's Baaaaack!
mandoist08-09-2026 - Don't lay this shitshow on "Americans". It is a long-running Ego trip with WTA allowing these two Elitists 'in need of a Camera' illicit Wildcards. If these two clowns want to "perform" -- then play the qualies.mandoist08-09-2026
- Here we go again…. Different rules for Americans! Especially THESE Americans. Yuck!DaveyWavey07-09-2026
Loading
