I'll miss Li Na's funny speeches: Simona Halep

World No 2 Simona Halep described recently-retired tennis star Li Na as a "real champion" and "a very kind person", adding that she particularly enjoyed listening to her speeches during tournaments

Wuhan (China): World No 2 Simona Halep described recently-retired tennis star Li Na as a "real champion" and "a very kind person", adding that she particularly enjoyed listening to her speeches during tournaments.


Aall over: Li Na wipes her tears at a press conference in Beijing, yesterday. Pic: AP/PTI 

"She's really nice and was very good player... very special, because every time her speeches were very funny," the Romanian said.

Petra Kvitova, ranked at No 3, spoke appreciatively of Li, who mentioned their friendship at a press conference in Beijing yesterday.

"It's so nice from her that she said my name. You know, I'm going to miss her so much. She's very funny. I think that you Chinese can be very proud of her," the two-time Wimbledon winner said.

Li Na faced the press in Beijing yesterday when she got very emotional. Nearly 200 journalists attended her farewell.

A Chinese journalist raised his hand to ask a question, but then suddenly went silent before breaking down into tears. Li Na announced her shock retirement via social media on Friday.

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