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

Li Na has found a new job in tennis ten years ago after the former two-time Grand Slam champion retired from the sport. He has now been announced as the new tournament director of the Hong Kong Open.

Last year, the WTA 250 tournament was held in Hong Kong for the first time since 2018. And after last year’s successful run, the event will return this year from October 28 to November 3.

But this time the tournament will be a little different from the previous edition, as the leadership will be in the hands of one of the best Asian tennis players.

Li, who enjoyed success on the highest stage and also achieved a career-high second place finish before retiring from tennis in 2014, is looking forward to the challenge and hopes she can quickly develop a good rapport with the competitors and thrive in her new role.

“Hong Kong’s unique culture as one of the most vibrant cities in the world will appeal to players and fans alike. I look forward to enjoying top-class international tennis in what is undoubtedly the premier event capital of Asia. I look forward to witnessing the competition between these world-class female players. I also hope to add my own experience to help participating players push their own personal boundaries to achieve … success,” the 42-year-old Chinese said in a video message posted by the tournament.

Li is going to meet Emma Raducanu!

Raducanu, who has Chinese roots as her mother was born in Shenyang, revealed after her historic 2021 US Open that Li was the player she idolized and looked up to as a child. In one of her interviews, the 21-year-old also said that she wanted to play like the Chinese tennis icon.

And after the Briton became Grand Slam champion in one of the most impressive fashions and went on to win the Laureus Breakthrough of the Year award, the former two-time Major winner took a moment to congratulate her.

“Hey Emma, ​​Li Na is here to congratulate you. I am happy that as a member of the Academy I have chosen you and my colleagues as the winner,” Li said in 2022.

And Raducanu appreciated the message very much: “Li Na, you are my favorite tennis player. I would like to thank you. I would also like to meet you. See you soon.”

In August it was announced that the former world number 10 from Britain has signed up to play in Hong Kong, meaning she will meet her idol next month.

“Hong Kong has the honor of being one of three cities in Asia, alongside Beijing and Tokyo, to host both an ATP and WTA Tour event. The introduction of a WTA 125 event in Hong Kong this year provides an exciting new competitive opportunity for our elite local players, along with other ‘rising stars’ in the region and internationally,” said Michael Chang, who was tournament director at the time, after Raducanu signed up for the event.

Will Zheng Qinwen come to play in Hong Kong?

At this year’s Australian Open, Zheng was enjoying a hard-fought 6-4 2-6 7-6 (8) victory over Wang Yafan when someone crept behind her back and tapped her on the bottom. After turning to see who it was, the 21-year-old Chinese couldn’t believe it when she saw it was her idol Li.

Later in her press release, the current top tennis player from China could not hide her joy.

“First of all. We don’t have each other’s WeChat, no phone calls. We met before when I was a junior, but not single-to-single, face-to-face. I haven’t had the chance to talk to her, but today is the real first time we talk to each other,” Zheng said.

When asked if he had received any advice for her idol, the world No. 7 confirmed that he had indeed.

“Yes. She told me not to think too much, just to keep it simple. I think that’s what I should do now, yes,” she said.

After facing the former two-time Grand Slam champion, Zheng reached her first Slam final at the Australian Open, but lost to Aryna Sabalenka.

Six months later, the world number 7 won the gold medal in her Olympic debut in Paris, and then gave her idol the honor of playing tennis.

“She is one of the women who inspired me the most. I always said that she planted those seeds of dreams in me… The day Li Na won a Grand Slam, I dreamed in my heart that I also wanted to win a Grand Slam,” said the Paris Olympic champion.

It will be interesting to see if Zheng now decides to come to Hong Kong, now that the tournament has named her idol.