Broadcaster Mary Carillo is said to have suggested on CBS that Li Na is planning to retire following the Beijing tournament later this month.

The Australian Open champion's agent, Max Eisenbud, has reportedly denied that assertion. "She is not retiring," Eisenbud, who also represents Maria Sharapova, was quoted as saying in China Daily.

Li flirted with the idea of retirement a year ago right before Wimbledon, but changed her mind. She went on to win her second Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open at the start of this season, but has not been beyond the quarterfinals since withdrawing from Stuttgart with the a knee injury. Li's coaching relationship with Carlos Rodriguez also ended this year; he is under contract to a Chinese tennis academy that wanted him to return to the country.

The 32-year-old has not played since losing in the third round of Wimbledon, withdrawing from her subsequent tournaments with a knee injury.