Huge applause echoed through the stadium as Li, now retired, stepped onto the court wearing a red dress and was joined by the tournament’s defending champion Petra Kvitova to open the new arena officially.
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The stadium is similar in capacity to Centre Court at Wimbledon and only the 23,000-seating Arthur Ashe stadium in New York City has a larger capacity.
Russia’s Maria Sharapova plays against Czech Republic’s Barbora Strycova during their women’s singles match at the Wuhan Open tennis tournament, Hubei province, China, September 28, 2015. “I’ve been working hard to get myself ready to compete again and I can’t wait to get back out”, the five-time Grand Slam champion said in a statement announcing her wild card entry to the Wuhan Open.
“I’ve had my fair share of serious injuries, and I know this is far from it, something I just have to take care of”, Sharapova said in her post-match press conference. Mention of the baby’s name prompted more excited applause from the crowd.
Li has plans to open her own tennis academy.
The WTA first opened an office in Beijing in 2008, when there were only two events in mainland China. Pennetta announced her retirement at the US Open final, and could now only have one tournament left before she exits tennis.
“You can never underestimate an opponent, whether seeded or not”.
“I will rest in Wuhan for the next few days to determine how I progress, and look forward to coming back here to play in this great city next year”.
Sharapova can add her forearm to a growing-list of ailments that has disrupted her career in recent years.
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The Russian subsequently pulled out of a WTA event in Toronto and the Cincinnati Masters hoping to be ready for the US Open, but a persistent leg injury kept her out of that one too.
