2014 Australian Open - Li Na
IN PHOTO: Retired tennis star Li Na REUTERS

Chinese tennis icon Li Na may have ruled herself out of the running for the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Finals in Singapore after announcing her retirement from the sport recently, but it doesn't mean that the 32-year-old will not be around during the 10-day tennis event. Li has been named as the official ambassador of the WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global, so fans of the two-time Grand Slam champion will still get to see their tennis hero because she will be in attendance, at best, in the early period of the said tennis affair.

WTA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stacey Allaster announced Li's participation as the official ambassador of WTA Finals on the tournament's official website. Li will join the likes of former top-ranked tennis icons such as Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, and Tracy Austin. Retired tennis greats Iva Majoli, Marion Bartoli, and Mary Pierce will also be there. "We are excited to announce Li Na's role as an official ambassador for the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global, the first time in the event's 44-year history [that] it will be staged in Asia-Pacific," Allaster said.

Allaster further stated that Li will get to mingle with fans at the WTA Finals Fan Fest. She will meet the fans all throughout the afternoon on Oct. 19, according to statement on WTA's website. In addition to Li's involvement in the Fan Fest, she will also meet the players for the Under 14 and Under 16 WTA Future Stars. The players for the inaugural WTA Future Stars will come from 12 different countries in the Asia-Pacific. Li will also join the opening ceremony, joining other tennis legends, special guests, and government officials, on Oct. 20.

The 2014 WTA Finals features the top eight singles players and top eight doubles teams in the world that will compete for the $6 million prize money. Serena Williams was the first player to qualify for the tournament, followed by Maria Sharapova and Simona Halep. The 2014 Wimbledon Champion Petra Kvitova was the fourth player to meet the requirements to play in the WTA Finals.

According to Tennis.com, five players, namely, Eugenie Bouchard, Ana Ivanovic, Caroline Wozniacki, Agnieszka Radwanska, and Angelique Kerber, are in a tight competition, with only four spots remaining. Bouchard and Radwanska have both been eliminated in the 2014 China Open, which gives 1,000 points to the winner. Kerber and Ivanovic have advanced into the third round, while Wozniacki is scheduled to play her second round match on Oct. 1.