CHINATOWN – Tennis champ Li Na will bring her blistering backhand to Chinatown next week before competing in this year's US Open.
Na — the first Chinese national to win a grand slam singles title after claiming the French Open crown in June — will visit Sara D. Roosevelt Park on Mon., Aug. 22, to hit balls with local youngsters and sign autographs.
Her visit is part of the US Tennis Association’s Mobile SmashZone, which includes a kid-sized court for children to play on, and is part of an initiative to encourage kids younger than 10 to take up tennis.
Her visit to Chinatown was facilitated by Councilwoman Margaret Chin — the first-ever Chinese-American to represent Chinatown on the City Council — who helped secure the park space for the USTA.
"Li Na is a wonderful example of how hard work and dedication pay off," Chin said of Na, who's the No. 4 ranked player in the world, tying for the highest-ranked Asian player in the history of tennis.
"As the first Chinese player to win a grand slam, her visit will have special meaning for the residents of Chinatown," Chin said. "Her passion for tennis is infectious and I know that the children in Chinatown will be so excited to meet her."
Na will visit the park from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Mon., Aug. 22.
