Playing less key to longevity, says Serena

In-form world number one shows no signs of letting up

WUHAN, CHINA: World number one Serena Williams said on Monday that playing less tennis has helped extend her glittering career, as she acknowledged in the wake of Li Na's retirement that players' bodies can ‘betray’ them.

The American power-hitter was speaking as she prepared to compete in China's Wuhan Open, a WTA premier-ranked event which will hold its final on Saturday, the day after her 33rd birthday.

China's Li Na announced her retirement last Friday at the age of 32, citing chronic knee injuries, just months after she won her second Grand Slam.

Serena and her sister Venus opted in the past few years to play less, a decision once bitterly criticised by pundits as disrespectful of the game.

But she celebrated her 18th Grand Slam victory at the US Open earlier this month and shows no signs of losing her status as the world's greatest female player.

"I think playing less has definitely been able to help me have a longer career," said Serena.

Following the retirement of China's tennis trailblazer, Serena acknowledged that all top athletes are at risk when pushing their bodies to the limit.

"I think at one point or another all of our bodies at some point betray us," said Serena, before paying tribute to Li.

"For the most part, I think Li is great. She's a star in the sky that always shines. It's always going to be there.”

Table

WTA rankings

Singles standings

Rank      Name                    Points

1              S Williams            9,430

2              S Halep                 6,160

3              P Kvitova             5,926

4              M Sharapova       5,575

5              Li Na                    5,270