Hingis says Na's retirement 'loss to world tennis'

Swiss tennis star Martina Hingis has said that Li Na's retirement was a loss to world tennis, while also crediting the Chinese ace of raising the game's profile in her home country and across Asia.

Hingis, who has bagged five singles and nine doubles Grand Slam titles, said that it is a sad day for Chinese tennis and for the global sport in general, after hearing about Na's decision during the WTA Pan Pacific Open.

Hingis, who beat Na in the 2007 Australian Open fourth round, said that she has good memories playing Na, Sport24 reported.

Hingis added that the retirement news was sad because the next WTA tournament was to be played in Na's hometown of Wuhan next week, immediately followed by the big-money China Open in Beijing.

Hingis said that there is so much more tennis which has moved tournaments to China, adding that there has been development on the women's side of the tour to have the tournaments there.

'Great competitor'

Former World No 1 Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, who was also playing in Tokyo, called the wise-cracking Chinese a big inspiration both on and off the court who would be missed in the locker room.

The Women's Tennis Association upgraded the China Open in Beijing last year to become Asia's only event combined with a men's tour. The event is also one of the WTA's top four tournaments.

Wozniacki, who lost to Na in the 2011 Australian Open semi-finals, said that the Chinese tennis ace is an unbelievable person, and added that she “is great as a competitor”.

The Dane also said that Na is so hilarious to be around so she is going to miss her in the locker room.

Wozniacki said that what Na has done for tennis, not only in Asia but in the whole world, showing great sportsmanship, definitely it's something that is going to be very missed.

But the straight-talking Dane also wished Na all the best in her great new chapter in her life.

Nishikori hopes to fill Li void in Asia

The retirement of Li Na may have robbed Asian tennis of its brightest star, but U.S. Open finalist Kei Nishikori has put up his hand to fill the breach.

With Li's departure, the 24-year-old Japanese is now Asia's top player, having reached a career high ranking of eight after his fairytale run at Flushing Meadows.

"I was shocked. It is sad that I can't see her play anymore," Nishikori told reporters in Hong Kong, where he helped launch the ATP tour's Asian swing of tournaments.

"I think Li Na and some other Chinese ladies have done so many amazing things for Asian tennis.

"She won grand slams that we have never done before. I hope she can still be involved in tennis and I hope I can be the next one to lead Asian tennis."

Having become the first man from an Asian country to reach a grand slam final, Nishikori would appear a worthy successor to the 32-year-old Chinese, who became the continent's first grand slam title winner with her breakthrough at the 2011 French Open.

Li's late-blooming career -- she won at Roland Garros when 29 and at Melbourne Park this year as a 31-year-old -- should also give Nishikori some confidence that his best tennis is ahead of him.

Nishikori bids to become the first Asian man to qualify for the ATP's World Tour finals.

Strong performances in the Asian swing, where Nishikori will compete at Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo and Shanghai, could seal Nishikori's spot among the top eight to reach the World Tour finals, a small but important milestone for the continent's rise in the men's game.