Li Na looks to make more history

Pioneering Li Na aims to make more tennis history by becoming the oldest leading player in the game.

Li, 30, secured her financial future and sought to extend her career soon after famously becoming the first Chinese player to win a Grand Slam title at the French Open last year.

She was therefore carefully evasive when asked about money but very forthright about the influence of Carlos Rodriguez, who coached Justine Henin to seven Grand Slam titles.

"He has changed a lot," Li said. "And the first two days I hated it all because I had to change all the things from long ago.

"So, first two days I always fight - not against Carlos, I was fighting against myself! But after one or two weeks I was getting better and better."

Though they have still only been together for two months, Li thinks Rodriguez is a significant reason why she found the extra push to snatch the last place at the WTA Championships.

Already the first Chinese player ever to take part in the women's flagship event, Li is one of the elite eight qualifiers for the second successive year.

"It was like so many people say - after Carlos came to my team, the change was unbelievable," she said. "I really have to say he's doing a good job.