Busy Li plans ‘academic’ career
Print Edition
LI Na has described her post-professional life as busy, with the establishment of her academy school her next big task.
The two-time grand slam winner was in Shanghai yesterday for the Australian Open trophy tour. “My schedule has been full since the retirement (three weeks ago). I only got one week’s rest thanks to the National Day holiday,” the Wuhan native revealed.
Li said preparatory work for her tennis academy is well under way, and she would announce the location of the school soon. “It will be on a very, very big (scale), and I just want to do my best to provide young kids with a good environment for practicing tennis.”
Li ruled out taking up a coaching role at the academy, but promised to invite foreign coaches to create a bilingual environment. “The students will be given training in English, and taught how to deal with coaches, media, and to enter the professional arena. These are all part of the courses at my school.
“I will talk to my students one by one and get to know the reason why they chose tennis,” Li added.
The academy will seek cooperation with schools and provide scholarship for children with financial difficulties.
The 32-year-old Chinese icon won the Australian Open women’s singles crown in January this year, her second grand slam title after clinching the French Open in 2011.
She said she will attend next year’s Australian Open, one of her favorite tournaments, as a guest. Two young players selected by ANZ from the bank’s Junior Tennis Program, which has provided weekly clinics for over 1,000 Chinese youngsters, will accompany Li during her January visit to Melbourne.
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