I know that this post is a week too late, but to be
honest that is the exact period of time it took me to realize what a loss Li Na’s
retirement has been to the tennis fraternity (especially Asia). The ‘Chinese
Sensation’ as she was fondly known to her fans decided to hang her racquet due
to ongoing injuries and thereby in the process ended one of the most glorious
and momentous careers in the sport’s history.
Believe me when I use the word “momentous” to define Li’s
career because quite frankly I could not come up with a better word to suit her
undying dedication and ruthless grit when it came to playing a sport that meant
so much to her. Not only did she manage to exceptionally effectuate a plan that
would lead her to distinctive eminence, but she also managed to bestow tennis
in an unprecedented manner that will forever be talked about.
Her contribution towards tennis has been nothing short of
being immense. Her trailblazing act of popularizing the sport in an “uncharted”
territory like China (and even Asia to an extent) clearly speaks volumes of the
kind of personage that Li Na possesses. What I guess today is that 10 years
from now a pack of tennis fanatics will remember that the 5’7” Li Na mesmerized
people with her exalted crouching forehand. However, I say with extreme surety
that the world and its people will always remember her as an epitome of resistance.
Coming from China and choosing a sport that has not gifted
the country with a “medal” since like forever would be a tough decision to make
for any sportsperson. But nevertheless Li Na chose to go down that path. Not
because she was forced to (unlike many Chinese Olympians) but because she
wanted to stand out and make a difference. She wanted to grab a sport, which in
her own words was in “infancy” in her country, by the throat and take it upwards
to notability. And that’s exactly what she did.
I still remember watching the 2011 Roland Garros final
when Li Na vanquished the exploits of then defending champion Francesca
Schiavone of Italy to become the first ever Asian and Chinese Grand Slam singles
champion and etch her name in history. Even though the sport of tennis is not
uncommon in India and we’ve had our share of legendary Grand Slam champions, I
have to admit that was indeed a proud moment for me as an Asian.
What’s extraordinary about that tournament in specific is
that in addition to taming Schiavone in the final and romping her way past top
guns like Petra Kvitova, Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova in the process,
Li Na was successful in drawing the attention of 116 million Chinese in
watching the sport. That’s a win for any sport any day of the week and I guess
the fabulous Chris Evert put it brilliantly and said it out for everyone when
she said, “That kind of exposure is
crucial for our sport; and it never would have happened without Li.” And it
has indeed reaped great benefits for tennis in China.
From two professional tournaments in 2008 to ten today is
just one of the many accomplishments of Li Na’s endurance and continuing fortitude.
Her stirring list of “firsts” that include being the first Chinese to win a WTA
title, the first to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal, the first to reach a Grand
Slam final, the first to compete in the WTA Tour Finals, the first to be ranked
in the top 20 and top 10 and the only till date to been ranked as high as World
No. 2 has helped her country boast of having four players in the top 100 today–
a feat that needed Li Na’s unflinching and indispensable perseverance.
Another achievement that Li Na can be proud to have under
her cap is having the Rod Laver arena boo a defending champion in the final.
The 2013 Australian Open final against the then defending champion Victoria
Azarenka not only won Li millions of hearts around the world but also portrayed
her as a phenomenal fighter (or ‘phighter’; now I know what Mary Kom a.k.a
Priyanka Chopra meant). As mentioned before, the Chinese Sensation would hardly
be remembered for her double-handed backhand. But what she will surely be
remembered for is her crouching forehand. Because for a player to stay that low
and smash the ball cross court with inconceivable speed clearly deserves some praise.
Undoubtedly the match that made Li Na’s unbreakable
persona was the Azarenka final. After having won the first set comfortably, Li
was down 0-3 in the second. Her valiant game play helped her level the second
set at 4-4 even after twisting her ankle in the process and hopping her way to
her chair en-route a medical timeout. However, Vika edged Li there to force a
deciding third set.
The third set started with a literal “bang” as the match
was interrupted due to the Australia Day fireworks celebration just at the
point when Li had taken a 2-1 lead. When it resumed, she twisted her ankle for
the second time and “banged” her head on the surface while tumbling over.
Amidst the crowd support, Li Na distinctly appeared bleary during her second
medical timeout and eventually gave in 6-3 to allow Azarenka lift her second straight
Australian Open trophy among the Melbourne hostility.
That’s the kind of presence that Li Na had on the court.
It’s really sad that the sport of tennis will now be deprived of the jolly and
gleeful charisma that she brought to every game. But I guess like Bollywood’s unrivalled
aura of making dismal sport movies, recurring injuries too had taken over Li Na’s
body. Her journey by all means has not been easy. It never is for champions
actually. But those who are the “bird that sticks out” will always stride
towards victory with slicing brilliance and master the impossible.
“Not many people
believed in my talent and my abilities, yet I found a way to persevere, to
prove them (and sometimes myself!) wrong. Whether you want to be a tennis
player, a doctor, a teacher or a business leader, I urge you to believe in
yourself and follow your dream. If I could do it, you can too. Be the bird that
sticks out. With hard work, your dreams will come true.”
Thank You Li Na! Thanks for being the change the world
needed!
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