Li's legacy will be felt both on and off the court
- By Mark Dreyer
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E-mail China.org.cn, September 23, 2014
Sadly, Li Na's influence has yet to spread to men's tennis in China. While Li won Grand Slam titles, on the men's side, Wu Di was making history simply for qualifying for the first round of the Australian Open, and he only did so thanks to a new wildcard system that guarantees entry for an Asian player. U.S. Open finalist Kei Nishikori of Japan has exploded the myth that Asian men cannot succeed at the highest level, but, so far, no one in China looks likely to follow his lead.
In addition to encouraging millions of young girls to pick up a racket and get more involved in sports, Li Na has also taught other established Chinese athletes a thing or two. Whereas China's Olympic stars dominate in diving, gymnastics and table tennis, they are often viewed internationally as robots: swap one for another and the result will still be golden.
Li, though, has shown the value of the individual. While never quite fluent in English, she has never been afraid to give honest interviews to global media, and her charming personality and sharp wit have endeared her to fans around the world. It is no surprise that she is the second-highest-earning female athlete in any sport, behind only Maria Sharapova in endorsements and sponsorships as brands have scrambled to get her as a spokesperson. That value will remain - as tends to be the case in China more than elsewhere, stars can remain visible and relevant long after they retire.
But perhaps the greatest winner in Li's story of stardom has been China itself. Li has been criticized domestically for playing only for herself, while others overseas have portrayed her as a rebel who went against the establishment and won. But in reality, not only is Li fiercely proud of being Chinese and of the achievements she has reached for her country, but she is arguably the best global ambassador the country has ever seen.
Mark Dreyer has 15 years of experience working in sports journalism and worked for Sky Sports, Fox Sports and AP Sports. He has covered the last three Olympic Games and has been based in China since 2007. He can be contacted at dreyermark@gmail.com
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