Dubai: Li Na, first Chinese player to really make a mark on women's tennis, will be one of the biggest attractions at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships when play gets under way at the Dubai Tennis Stadium on February 20.
She will join world number one Victoria Azarenka, defending champion Caroline Wozniacki, Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and US Open winner Samantha Stosur.
She hit the big league when she reached the semi-finals of the 2010 Australian Open, and a year later, went all the way to the final before losing to Kim Clijsters.
She was getting closer to realising her dream, and the big day came in Paris last year when she overcame defending champion Francesca Schiavone to win the French Open, taking her all the way to number 4 in the world.
"Since Li Na played here a year ago she has become one of the most famous players in the world," said Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman of tournament owners and organisers Dubai Duty Free. "She is an inspiration to countless young people in China and around the world, and many have taken up the game after seeing what she has achieved."
She was the first Asian player, man or woman, to win a Grand Slam and seemed set to break into the top three. But, as often happens, when a major career goal is realized there is a void and things can quickly go awry. Li Na fell into this void and suffered a string of early round exits in the second half of the year.
"The Grand Slam for me was the dream, so after my dream came true I lost the goal" she says. "I thought it was further away and then when it happened I lost concentration. Then I started losing matches and lost confidence, I didn't believe I could win a match".
And, as she says, if you have a problem with your backhand you can practice it but it's hard to practice confidence. Still, whatever she has been doing is working as she is pulling herself out of the trough, going through undefeated at the 2012 Hopman Cup, reaching the finals at the Sydney International, and having a successful run at the Australian Open before losing to defending champion Kim Clijsters in the 4th round.
Tournament Director Salah Tahlak has been watching her return to form with interest.
"We are pleased to see Li Na playing so well, and we are looking forward to welcoming her back to Dubai. With her rediscovered confidence, and her desire to get back on the winners podium, she will certainly be one to watch in Dubai next week," he said. A win would be a great birthday present for her too as she celebrates her 30th birthday on 26 February.
Play begins on February 20 with the WTA Tour event, and continues on February 27 with the ATP tournament that features defending champion and world number one Novak Djokovic, former four-time champion Roger Federer, 2012 Brisbane champion Andy Murray and Wimbledon semi-finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
