Social

Li Na named tournament director of WTA event in 'vibrant' Hong Kong

By Baseline Staff Sep 13, 2024
Social

Grab the popcorn! 'Six Kings Slam' trailer plays like a movie, impresses on social media

By Baseline Staff Oct 14, 2024
Social

'It builds a level of perspective': Frances Tiafoe, Adrian Mannarino visit autism center in Almaty

By Matt Fitzgerald Oct 14, 2024
Social

Coco Gauff says she'll tell her kids about this Rafael Nadal moment

By Stephanie Livaudais Oct 11, 2024
Social

Aryna Sabalenka hopes Yulia Putintseva friendship still on the menu after Wuhan comeback

By David Kane Oct 11, 2024
Social

Social Reaction: Rafael Nadal’s peers and rivals 'reject' his application to retire

By Baseline Staff Oct 10, 2024
Social

From Wuhan, Coco Gauff sends prayers to home state Florida during Hurricane Milton

By Stephanie Livaudais Oct 10, 2024
Social

Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and more get a boost from 'very passionate' Chinese fans

By Stephanie Livaudais Oct 09, 2024
Social

Jasmine Paolini surprises fan in Wuhan after defeating China’s own Yuan Yue

By Liya Davidov Oct 09, 2024
Social

Stefanos Tsitsipas criticizes Fergus Murphy for having "no clue about tennis", chair umpire tells him to "watch more matches"

By Baseline Staff Oct 09, 2024
Social

Li Na named tournament director of WTA event in 'vibrant' Hong Kong

The two-time Grand Slam champion joins her fellow retired major-winner Garbiñe Muguruza in being named a WTA tournament director this year.

ByBaseline Staff

Published Sep 13, 2024

Players competing at the Hong Kong Tennis Open next month will have the opportunity to pick the brain of two-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 2 Li Na, who this week was announced at the new tournament director for the WTA 250 event.

Li, who retired from tennis 10 years ago, has appeared sporadically at tennis tournaments in recent years following the 2015 and 2016 births of her two children, beginning with her inducation into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2019. Last year, she played the legends' event at Wimbledon for a second time (having first done so in 2018), and this January, returned to Melbourne Park for the 10-year anniversary of her championship, where she met with eventual finalist Zheng Qinwen and also competed in the invitational event.

But now, the two-time Grand Slam champion joins her fellow retired major-winner Garbiñe Muguruza in being named a WTA tournament director this year.

In June, Muguruza was tabbed to the post for the inaugural WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as the first former player to hold the role at that tournament. Other high-profile former ATP and WTA players in tournament director roles include Amélie Mauresmo at Roland Garros, and James Blake and Tommy Haas at the joint ATP and WTA 1000 events at Miami and Indian Wells, respectively.

Advertising

Li Na won the legends' doubles title with Daniela Hantuchova in Melbourne this year.

Li Na won the legends' doubles title with Daniela Hantuchova in Melbourne this year.

© 2024 Robert Prange

"Hong Kong’s unique culture as one of the world's most vibrant cities will appeal to players and fans alike," Li said in a video message posted to the tournament's social media. "I am looking forward to enjoying top-tier international tennis in what is undoubtedly Asia's leading events capital. I am looking forward to witnessing the competition amongst these world-class female players.

"I also hope to add my own experience to help participating players push their own personal limits in achieving ... success."

Advertising

Players entered in the 2024 Hong Kong field, per the tournament website, include 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu, former Top 10 player Danielle Collins in her final season, Wimbledon quarterfinalist Lulu Sun, and defending champion and 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez.

The tournament is set to take place from Oct. 26 to Nov. 3 at Victoria Park Stadium.