Na Li

• Residence: Wuhan, China
• DOB: Febuary 26, 1982
• Birthplace: Wuhan, China
• Height: 5' 7 3/4" (1.72 m)
• Weight: 143 lbs. (65 kg)
• Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Biography

Na Li has been one of the most successful tennis players in China's history, and has been instrumental in advancing the sport within the country. She is currently Asia and China's No. 2 (behind Zheng Jie who is World No. 16). Her current ranking is World No. 19.

She is noted in her playing style for quick reflexes and athleticism around the court and fast groundstrokes which she scatters unpredictably to all corners of the playing surface.

On June 19, 2006, Li became the first Chinese woman to be ranked within the WTA top 30 at No. 30. Two months later, on August 14, 2006, Li entered the top 20 for the first time at No. 20. Her highest ranking to date is No. 16.

Li also frequently enters doubles tournaments at events alongside singles, and has won two WTA doubles titles and 16 further ITF doubles events. Her early success in doubles came mostly with Ting Li; but more recently she has made a habit of forming temporary women's doubles partnerships with players with whom she has previously enjoyed a healthy rivalry through repeated head-to-head meetings in singles tournaments, notably Liu Nan-Nan, Nicole Pratt, Yan Zi and Jelena Jankovic, in addition to her countrywoman Peng Shuai.

Her career has been plagued by injuries that have interrupted her from playing for lengthy periods, and often preventing her from being highly ranked. She suffered a two-year hiatus from competition in her early 20s, lost several months at the height of the 2005 season to an ankle injury, and lost the second half of 2007 to a rib injury.

Career History