I am very honored to have such a special opportunity to represent China in the tennis competition. Through this opportunity, I hope to attract more people's attention to tennis in China and even in Asia, which will be my lifelong career. However, even so, a career, like life, has an end.
20 14 is the most important year in my career and even my life, full of bright spots. 20 14 Australian open, I won the women's singles championship and won my second grand slam. I am very happy that I can share this special happiness and experience with my country, my team, my husband and my fans. But at the same time, it's also a difficult year. I have to face many things, such as making a decision to end my tennis career.
Time in Australia is full of joy, happiness and a special sense of accomplishment. But the decision to put down the racket is much more difficult than the Australian Open Heat's seven-game winning streak. I have been worried for months before, and finally, I can't be the same as before because of long-term injuries. Although I participated in the first match held in my hometown with 100% effort, as a professional tennis player, leaving the court now is my most correct decision.
As many friends know, the injury of my right knee has been "accompanying" my career. Every time I step into the arena, people will see the black kneepad on my right knee, just like my birthmark. Although I am used to it, the knee disease still makes me feel unbearable pain from time to time.
My knee has undergone four operations. The first three operations were on my right knee, and the last operation in July was on my left knee. At the same time, in order to relieve the swelling and pain of my knee, I need to receive injections every week, which has been hundreds of times so far. Now, my body can't bear any heavy losses. After the recent operation, even a few weeks after the operation, I tried my best to get back on the court.
However, compared with back in the game after the operation, this time is different. Even if I try my best, my body keeps telling me that at the age of 32, I can no longer participate in the highest level competition in the industry. The competition in tennis is fierce, and the requirements for players are perfect. I will never return to my former 100% state.
Winning the Grand Slam and ranking second in the world is my choice to leave the tennis court with such honor. Although the process of making this decision is very difficult, I am calm about what happened and will not regret it. I shouldn't have been here in the first place, remember? At first, many people didn't believe in my talent and ability, but I finally proved them (sometimes even myself) wrong.
Tennis has developed very rapidly in China in recent years, and now I have achieved success in this sport on the world stage. What I have achieved far exceeds my dream, and the honor I have won for my country is also my proudest achievement.
In 2008, there were only two professional women's tennis events in China. This year, China hosted 65,438+00 professional women's tennis championships. One of them is in my hometown-Wuhan. At that time, stars including the Williams sisters and Sharapova will come to my hometown with the honor of winning 30 Grand Slam singles titles, bringing wonderful games to China fans. Just as I never thought I would win a grand slam, I never thought that one day, the most famous female athlete in the world would come to Wuhan and my hometown to bring wonderful tennis matches to everyone.
For me, it is also of special significance to contribute to the development of sports in China. At this point, I will not stop. I will make plans with my organization to promote the development of tennis in China. Including the establishment of Li Na Tennis School to provide scholarships for the next generation of tennis stars in China. In addition, I will also participate in the children's music club of "The Right to Play", and devote myself to helping children and teenagers who are living in poverty and in trouble, and help them overcome challenges through the power of sports. With the continuation of the charity I am engaged in, the scope will also expand, and my dream will now become a reality.
I personally look forward to opening a new chapter in my life. I wish I could spend more time with my family. When I used to play ball, these activities were extravagant. Now I want to try my best to make up for my family. I really want to go to the place where I once played. This time, I don't need to play, but look at these lovely places with different eyes. I am willing to start a new life quietly with my family in a relaxed place.
Tennis is an individual sport. As tennis players, our job is to spend a lot of time paying attention to our state. However, no one knows better than me that no athlete can become a champion by one person. Due to the limited space here, I can't thank all the people who have accompanied me through my career and shed sweat for my success, but I must thank those who have accompanied me regardless of the climax or underestimation. You made me who I am today.
thank you
My mother-thank you for your infinite help and support. Whether it's laughter or tears, you will always be with me.
My father-you left my life too early and completely changed my whole life. You are the sun in my life, and you made me who I am today.
Jison-You've been with me for 20 years. You are all to me, and I am grateful to share my life with you.
Xia's first coach was He, and you brought me to tennis.
China Tennis Association, Ms. Sun Jinfang, thank you for your pioneering contribution to tennis in China.
Director Hu Dechun of Hubei Provincial Sports Bureau-Thank you for your understanding and support over the years.
Women's Tennis Association-Thank you for your enthusiasm for women's tennis and your efforts for the development of women's tennis around the world.
Mr. Chen Hongchang from Hong Kong-Thank you for your great help when I first decided to become a professional tennis player in 2008. It is you who have strengthened my determination.
You brought me into professional tennis.
Thank you for taking me to see the first grand slam.
(carlos rodriguez)-You pushed me beyond the limit.
(Alex Stobel) Thank you for taking care of me for so many years and encouraging me at my lowest point.
(erich Rombek) and (Johannes Vibert)-Thank you for helping me stay away from injuries and pains again and again.
Zhang Nan and the Nike team-you are my guiding light, my support and my strongest cheerleader. I will never forget you.
(Max。 Eisenbard and IMG-you are the best team. Thank you for your concern and help.
All my sponsors-thank you for your support at every stage of my career.
My relatives, friends and everyone who has helped me in my career-thank you for your long-term companionship and support.
My teammates, you are a part of my career. I am very grateful and respectful to all of you.
Media friends-Thank you for paying attention to and reporting on my tennis career and promoting the development of tennis in China and the world.
Tennis fans all over the world-thank you for your firm support of tennis and for accompanying me to every game.
Finally, thanks to the fans in China-thank you for following the tennis trend and never giving up. Thank you very much for giving me love and strength unconditionally. Let me reach one peak after another. With you, the development of tennis in China will be endless.
When I first started playing tennis, I was just a little girl next door. Playing tennis is just my hobby. I had no idea that there was such a magical and wonderful tennis trip in front of me. At that time, who could have thought what tennis meant to my beloved motherland? Even though my career was not smooth sailing, it was still worthwhile. I witnessed the change with my own eyes. The little girl picked up the tennis racket, set goals, followed her heart and believed in herself. I hope my experience and story can inspire more young girls in China to believe in themselves, set goals for themselves and never give up.
Whether you want to be a tennis player, a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher or a businessman, I hope you believe in yourself, follow your dream and stick to it. I can do it, so can you. As long as you work hard, you will finally realize your dream!
Li na