Li Na named tournament director of upcoming event; Emma Raducanu set to meet her idol

Li Na has a tennis job 10 years after strolling away from the sport as the previous two-time Grand Slam champion has been introduced as the brand new Hong Kong Open event director.

Final 12 months, the WTA 250 event in Hong Kong returned for the primary time since 2018. And after efficiently staging the event final 12 months, the occasion is ready to return this 12 months between October 28 – November third.

However this time, there will probably be one thing totally different to this 12 months’s event version as it’s set to be guided by one of many best Asian tennis gamers. 

Li, who loved success on the most important stage and in addition achieved a career-high rating of No. 2 earlier than retiring from tennis in 2014, is wanting ahead to the problem and hopes she will be able to rapidly develop chemistry with individuals and do effectively in her new position.

“Hong Kong’s distinctive tradition as one of many world’s most vibrant cities will attraction to gamers and followers alike. I’m wanting ahead to having fun with top-tier worldwide tennis in what’s undoubtedly Asia’s main occasions capital. I’m wanting ahead to witnessing the competitors amongst these world-class feminine gamers. I additionally hope so as to add my very own expertise to assist taking part gamers push their very own private limits in attaining … success,” the 42-year-old Chinese language mentioned in a video message posted by the event. 

Li is ready to satisfy Emma Raducanu!

Raducanu, who has Chinese language roots as a result of her mom was born in Shenyang, revealed after her historic 2021 US Open that Li was the participant she idolized rising up and seemed as much as. In considered one of her interviews, the 21-year-old additionally shared that she wished to play just like the Chinese language tennis icon. 

And after the Briton grew to become a Grand Slam champion in probably the most spectacular methods doable and later gained the Laureus Breakthrough of the 12 months award, the previous two-time Main winner took a second to congratulate her. 

“Hey Emma, Li Na right here to say congrats. I’m pleased that as a member of the Academy my colleagues and I’ve chosen you because the winner.” Li mentioned in 2022. 

And the Raducanu appreciated the message very a lot: “Li Na, you might be my favourite tennis star. I wish to say thanks. I need to meet you too. See you quickly.”

In August, it was introduced that the British former world No. 10 signed as much as play in Hong Kong – which signifies that she’s going to get to satisfy her idol subsequent month. 

“Hong Kong has the excellence of being solely considered one of three cities in Asia, apart from Beijing and Tokyo, to stage each an ATP and WTA Tour occasion. The introduction of a WTA 125 occasion to Hong Kong this 12 months gives an thrilling new aggressive alternative for our elite native girls gamers, together with different ‘rising stars’ within the area and internationally,” Michael Chang, who was the event director on the time, mentioned after Raducanu signed up for the occasion. 

Will Zheng Qinwen come to play Hong Kong?

At this 12 months’s Australian Open, Zheng earned a hard-fought 6-4 2-6 7-6 (8) win over Wang Yafan when somebody sneaked behind her again and tapped her on her butt. After turning to see who it was, the 21-year-old Chinese language was left in disbelief after seeing it was her idol Li. 

Later in her press, the present top-ranked Chinese language tennis star could not cover her happiness. 

“Very first time. We do not have one another’s WeChat, no cellphone calls. We met as soon as earlier than once I was a junior, however not single-to-single, face-to-face. I did not have the prospect to speak together with her, however right now is the actual first time we discuss with one another,” Zheng mentioned.

When requested if he acquired any recommendation for her idol, the world No. 7 confirmed that it did occur.

“Yeah. She mentioned to me do not suppose an excessive amount of, simply maintain easy. I feel that is proper now what I must do as effectively, yeah,” she mentioned.

After assembly the previous two-time Grand Slam champion, Zheng went on to make her maiden Slam remaining on the Australian Open – however there misplaced to Aryna Sabalenka. 

Half a 12 months later, the world No. 7 gained the gold medal in her Olympic debut in Paris after which gave credit score to her idol for uplifting her to play tennis. 

“She is likely one of the girls who impressed me probably the most. I all the time mentioned she put these dream seeds inside me… The day when Li Na gained a Slam, I had a dream in my coronary heart that I need to win a Grand Slam as effectively,” the Paris Olympics winner mentioned.

It is going to be fascinating to see if Zheng now additionally decides to return to Hong Kong after the event appointed her idol.