Chinese tennis icon Li Na has been named as the 60th member of the Laureus World Sports Academy (LWSA), according to an official announcement on Wednesday.

It marks Li Na as the fifth Chinese sportsperson to join the LWSA following Deng Paping, Yang Yang, Li Xaiopeng and Yao Ming.

Sean Fitzpatrick, the Laureus Chairman, said “Li Na is one of China’s greatest athletes and I’m delighted to welcome her into the Laureus Acadamy. Throughout her career she was an icon in the sport of tennis and a role model for youngsters in China and around the world. I know she is looking forward to taking her passion for sport into her role as an Academy member.”

Speaking of the induction, the former World No.2 said, “Sport has given me so much throughout my life. The lessons I learned, the wins and the losses made me into the person I am today. I’m honoured to join this incredible team of sporting legends in the Laureus Academy and I’m looking forward to working with my fellow Academy members, supporting the work of Laureus Sport for good and inspiring young people around the world through sport.”

Source: Xinhua

Proofread by Sean O Diobhilin