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Li Na, China's 1st Grand Slam singles champion, retires from tennis tour due to injuries

Associated Press
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FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2014, file photo, Li Na, of China, walks around during the trophy presentation after defeating Dominika Cibulkova, of Slovakia, in the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. Li formally announced her retirement on Friday, Sept. 19, 2014. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2014 file photo, Li Na of China holds the championship trophy after defeating Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia in their women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia. Li, a two-time Grand Slam champion from China who took tennis in Asia to a new level, announced her retirement on Friday, Sept. 19, 2014. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this June 23, 2014 file photo, Li Na of China reacts during her first round match against Paula Kania of Poland at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London. Li, a two-time Grand Slam champion from China who took tennis in Asia to a new level, announced her retirement on Friday, Sept. 19, 2014. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin, File) (The Associated Press)

Li Na, a two-time Grand Slam champion from China who took tennis in Asia to a new level, has announced her retirement.

The 32-year-old Li posted the news on her microblog Friday, citing a recurring knee problem.

Li won the 2011 French Open, becoming the first player from China to win a Grand Slam singles title, and clinched the Australian Open title in January in her third trip to the final at Melbourne Park.

She only entered seven tournaments after that, and hasn't played since a third-round defeat at Wimbledon. She withdrew from three tournaments in August, including the U.S. Open, citing a right knee injury.