Following are the top 10 athletes of China for the year of 2011 selected by Xinhua News Agency:
1. Li Na (tennis)
The 29-year-old made history as the first Chinese and Asian tennis player to enter a Grand Slam singles final at the Australian Open. Later in June, Li was crowned as the first-ever Grand Slam champion for China and Asia in the French Open, beating defending champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy 6-4, 7-6 (0).
