WUHAN TO HOST HISTORIC “LI NA & FRIENDS” TENNIS EVENT

Written by: Staff on 10th July 2011

WUHAN TO HOST HISTORIC “LI NA & FRIENDS” TENNIS EVENT

Na Li of China holds her trophy at the awards ceremony after their final match. Na Li beat Francesca Schiavone of Italy in straight sets in the final match for the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 04 June 2011. EPA/GUILLAUME HORCAJUELO |

WUHAN TO HOST HISTORIC “LI NA & FRIENDS” TENNIS EVENT TO HONOR HOMETOWN GRAND SLAM HERO, LI, AND HER FANS

Sampras, Moya and Lisicki to Join Li Na for a Unique December 17-18 Singles and Mixed Doubles Extravaganza

Just one month after becoming the first Asian-born player to win a singles Grand Slam title, Li Na has already confirmed plans to recognize her hometown fans for their support. Today the city of Wuhan leadership and IMG announced that on December 17-18, 2011, Li will headline a special two-day tennis extravaganza in Wuhan, “Li Na & Friends”, alongside new rival and rising star, Sabine Lisicki, who defeated Li in a thrilling contest at Wimbledon, as well as 14-time Grand Slam singles champion Pete Sampras and tennis heartthrob Carlos Moya, who like the hometown hero also owns a Roland Garros singles crown.

Li took the opportunity to express her gratitude. “It has been an amazing few weeks for me and my family and I would like to thank you all for your good wishes and support which have touched my heart and which I will never forget. I am so delighted that this Li Na & Friends event can take place in my home city of Wuhan, and am so thankful that Pete, Sabine and Carlos happily agreed to come to China. I would particularly like to warmly thank the City of Wuhan, the Mayor, Vice Mayor, Wuhan Sports Bureau and my team at IMG for joining forces to make this wonderful celebration possible.”

The two-day event will feature two matches per day. The first day of play on December 17 will feature a singles match between Sampras and Moya, and a mixed doubles match, pairing Li and Sampras against Moya and Lisicki. The men will play two sets, with a ten point tie-breaker to decide the match if they split sets. After a short break, there will then be a one-set mixed doubles match. On December 18, Li will seek to avenge her three-set Wimbledon loss to Lisicki (6-3, 4-6, 6-8), this time in two sets, also with a ten point tie-breaker to determine the match if they split sets. All four players will take to the court to conclude the tennis extravaganza by participating in a reverse mixed doubles set, with Li and Moya joining forces to test their mettle against the big-serving duo of Sampras and Lisicki. Fans can expect a charged atmosphere with a DJ, event emcee, and opportunities to win autographed balls.

Speaking by video, Sampras said, “First of all, I would like to congratulate Li Na for her historical win at the French Open. The people of China and your fellow citizens of Wuhan should be very proud of what you have achieved. Winning your first major is a memory that will last you for a lifetime — enjoy every minute of it.” He continued on to add, “I made my first ever visit to China last year and it was great. I am very excited to have been invited back for the “Li Na & Friends” event. I am sure the crowds and atmosphere will be fantastic and I look forward to playing some good tennis with you, Li Na, in China, one of the hottest tennis markets on the planet.”

After fighting off two match points to defeat Li at Wimbledon, Germany’s Lisicki is eagerly anticipating the exhibition. “I am delighted to have been included in the “Li Na & Friends” event. Li Na and I had one of the best quality matches of Wimbledon 2011 and it is always a pleasure to play a champion — especially a reigning Grand Slam Champion like Li Na who is so friendly and professional, something all of China should be very proud of. To play singles and doubles in an event that also includes the great Pete Sampras will be an amazing experience. I understand we can expect thousands of people and a fantastic atmosphere and I really look forward to seeing you all in China — and maybe even doing a little shopping, possibly with a little help from Li Na, at the end of the year!”

The fastest rising player on the WTA Tour this year, Lisicki’s win at the pre-Wimbledon tournament at Birmingham (a title that Li won last year), plus her run to the semi-finals of the Wimbledon singles and the finals of the doubles with partner Sam Stosur, is even more remarkable when taken in context: just one year ago she was wheelchair-bound after serious ankle surgery. Lisicki’s rehabilitation began with literally learning how to walk again. Based on current form, Lisicki has a good chance of breaking into the top ten in the WTA rankings by the end of the year.

IMG Senior Vice-President and Head of Tennis for Asia, Nick Freyer, remarked, “All of China and the entire tennis world is proud of and excited by what happened in Paris a few weeks ago. It is indeed an honor and a pleasure to be here today with Li Na, her husband, Dennis, and the leadership of Wuhan to announce this event. For a tennis player and genuine tennis fans, there is no more fitting a celebration than to custom develop a unique tennis extravaganza with some of the greatest names in tennis — right here in Wuhan.”

After her championship victory at Roland Garros, Li was asked about the best moment of the match. In her typically endearing fashion, she replied, “Until the umpire says, ‘Game, set, match,’ the opponent still has a chance. After she said, ‘Game, set, match,’ I said, ‘It’s true! I won this title!'” Li looks forward to sharing the joy of her victory with the 116 million Chinese tennis fans who watched her historic win. “The fans have supported me so much. I want to empower the younger generation to work hard and see the exciting results of their efforts!”

Indeed, the Li Na & Friends extravaganza will not only serve to excite existing tennis fans, but also to inspire new aficionados to follow and play the game. The event will be broadcast nationwide on CCTV 5, China’s pre-eminent sports broadcaster, and IMG’s event management responsibilities will fall under the historic CCTV-IMG Sports Management Company joint venture. Further information about the event including ticketing arrangements will be announced shortly.