Rafael Nadal Gives Li Na Flowers, A Teary Farewell At Beijing China Open

The world no. 2 Rafael Nadal who is fresh from a victory against Richard Gasquet, gave the two time Grand Slam champion Li Na a bouquet of flowers during her retirement ceremony at the Beijing China Open.

Nadal had just beaten Gasquet in his comeback match but he still managed to pay tribute and honour Li at the National Tennis Stadium. Nadal won his first singles match after three months layoff from the game due to a wrist injury and he is set to face the German qualifier Peter Gojowczyk.

Although there were almost 40 players from the WTA Tour, the Spaniard was the only ATP player who came to the retirement ceremony. Li Na's husband and former coach Jiang Shan was also present at the event.

The retirement ceremony at the Beijing China Open was held couple of days after Li Na had announced retirement but the world no. 2, Nadal also took to Twitter to pay tribute at that time and posted,

Congratulations for your career and I wish you all the best in your new life #LoveLi pic.twitter.com/jinXolrJND

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) September 19, 2014

The 28-year-old Nadal, always gives tribute to retiring tennis players but his tribute to Li Na was special. In 2011 French Open, Nadal and Li won the Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros in the same year.

Apart from the flowers presentation, WTA players also paid tribute to Li. According to USA Today, Petra Kviova said, "The most important thing I want to say tonight is thank you for being our opponent, thank you for being our inspiration, and thank you for being our friend. We will miss you, champion."

After the speech, Kvitova was in tears after she gave Li a hug, while the other WTA players were also trying not to cry.

Li Na is one of the most successful athletes of Asia. She is the first Asian player to win the French Open in 2011 and became the first Asian player to win a Grand Slam title. She retired as the reigning Australian Open champion and was a runner-up in 2011 and 2013.

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