Thrifty Li is in no rush to dip into cash windfall
Source: Agencies |
August 11, 2011, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA'S Li Na is tipped to become the richest woman in sports but the French Open champion has yet to venture on a shopping spree and prefers using her husband's credit card rather than spending her money.
The 29-year-old world No. 6, who has many companies battling to cash in on her enormous popularity in China, seems to be in no rush to dip into her cash windfall.
"I still like to use my husband's credit card because I want to save my money," Li joked with reporters.
"But right now I am always busy doing many things for the sponsors and I do not have time to enjoy shopping. So maybe at the end of the year I will find time."
Li was ranked eighth on a recent Forbes list of top earning female athletes but is expected to charge up the rankings and challenge Maria Sharapova for top spot after her breakthrough win at the French Open in June.
According to Forbes, Sharapova's earnings, mostly off-court endorsements, were estimated at US$25 million, twice as much as her nearest rival and well ahead of Li's US$8 million.
Li took several weeks off since her shock second-round loss at Wimbledon in June but returns to action in Toronto where she will face Spain's Lourdes Dominguez Lino in the second round.
Li may need some more time comprehending just how big a deal she is in China following her breakthrough at Roland Garros. "I was very surprised because I thought after Wimbledon, because I didn't do well in Wimbledon, that maybe I would go back (to China) and people would be like 'who is she?'," said Li. "But still ... a lot of people came just to see me and to say congratulations."
The 29-year-old world No. 6, who has many companies battling to cash in on her enormous popularity in China, seems to be in no rush to dip into her cash windfall.
"I still like to use my husband's credit card because I want to save my money," Li joked with reporters.
"But right now I am always busy doing many things for the sponsors and I do not have time to enjoy shopping. So maybe at the end of the year I will find time."
Li was ranked eighth on a recent Forbes list of top earning female athletes but is expected to charge up the rankings and challenge Maria Sharapova for top spot after her breakthrough win at the French Open in June.
According to Forbes, Sharapova's earnings, mostly off-court endorsements, were estimated at US$25 million, twice as much as her nearest rival and well ahead of Li's US$8 million.
Li took several weeks off since her shock second-round loss at Wimbledon in June but returns to action in Toronto where she will face Spain's Lourdes Dominguez Lino in the second round.
Li may need some more time comprehending just how big a deal she is in China following her breakthrough at Roland Garros. "I was very surprised because I thought after Wimbledon, because I didn't do well in Wimbledon, that maybe I would go back (to China) and people would be like 'who is she?'," said Li. "But still ... a lot of people came just to see me and to say congratulations."
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