Great honor for Dominika Cibulkova: The Slovakian had a special date during her vacation – she took part in the shooting of the film about the Chinese tennis star Li Na.
Dominika Cibulkova was able to feel what such a Grand Slam final can still be good for years to come. The 25th in the world rankings took part in the shooting of a film about Li Na in Wuhan. The Chinese had won the 2014 Australian Open final against Cibulkova.
“I am so proud to have been invited to play my part in the upcoming movie about Li Na. It’s surreal and magical, and it brings back so many memories. I miss you on the tour, my girlfriend – although I have lost every single match against you,” wrote Cibulkova on Instagram, posting a photo of her with Li Na in a break.
Both wear bathrobes over their tennis clothing. In the background you can see a hardcourt and the logo of the Australian Open – although the recordings took place in Wuhan.
The now 36-year-old Li Na had ended her career four years ago. As the first Chinese Grand Slam winner, she went down in tennis history in 2011. Around 125 million compatriots had watched their triumph at the French Open in Stade Roland Garros live on TV at midnight local time in China.
400 million saw the summaries in the news the following morning. Three years later the unconventional Li Na also won the Australian Open – and finally became the acclaimed megastar in the Middle Kingdom.
Li Na is now the mother of Alisa (3) and Sapajou (1). And not only that: She has long since become a successful businesswoman, who already wore a rose tattoo on the left side of the décolleté during her active time. The former world runner-up now earns more than in her career as a tennis professional.
Soon after the end of her active career Li Na had completed various deals for book releases as well as for film projects. Her autobiography “My Life”, published at the end of 2013, has long since flickered across the screens. With her long-time outfitter Nike, the Asian has designed her own clothing line exclusively for Chinese women.
Li Na never took a leaf before the mouth. For example: husband Jiang “Dennis” Shan liked to call her “ugly chubby”, “stupid” or “idiot” during public appearances.