Copyright © 2016. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

Center Court at the Shenzhen Longgang Sports Center saw its first action of the new year  as 40 excited Chinese youngsters took the court with China’s own Grand Slam champion, former world No. 2, Li Na, and her good friend from the Czech Republic, current world No. 6 Petra Kvitova, for the first-ever Li Na Kids’ Day.

A dream of Li Na’s ever since she participated in Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day at the US Open, the inaugural Li Na Kids Day took place at her request in Shenzhen, delighting fans and the young aspiring athletes with an afternoon of fun, inspiration and instruction. The event was a great success, with players, kids and fans all abuzz with energy.

Li said, “Even now that I’m retired, I can still fulfill more dreams that I have about tennis — like giving back and getting Chinese kids involved in this game that I have loved so much. It means a lot to me to get to put on Li Na Kids’ Day here at the Shenzhen Open. The fans have always been especially great here, and I am so happy and honored to be able to give back to them and hopefully to contribute to the development of tennis here in Shenzhen, where it’s already grown so much.”

Copyright © 2016. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.