This year started with a bang for Chinese tennis star Li Na. In January, she won the Australian Open, climbing to a career-high of world number two. She celebrated in typically wisecracking fashion, thanking her agent — “[He] made me rich” — before training her sights on her husband: “[He] fixes my drink, fixes my racket?.?.?.?so thanks a lot — you’re a nice guy?.?.?.?And also, you’re so lucky [to] find me.”

China felt pretty lucky too. Li had become a national hero when she won the French Open in 2011, gaining millions of fans with her dominance on court and distinctive personality. But by this September, it was all over. After struggling to recover from knee surgery, Li was forced to retire. She broke it to her millions of social media followers in a Facebook post: “My body kept telling me that, at 32, I will not be able to compete at the top level ever again.”

Li was known for her heavy groundstrokes, especially her forehand, which marked her out as an opponent able to excel in new-style power tennis. In an interview with the FT over email, she notes that her injuries merely added to the pride she takes in her achievements: “I am proud that I was able to overcome many obstacles, including my knee issues. People don’t realise how hard it is to play at the highest levels when you are injured. I am proud of my fighting spirit.”