Li Na running for China's 4th Laureus award

Among other five candidates for the sportswoman of the year award, Serena Williams is also a strong contender, having won three times - sportswoman's award (2003 and 2010) and comeback award (2007).

The American returned to top form by winning the 2014 US Open, her 18th Grand Slam victory, which put her level in the all-time list with Chris Evert and Martina Martina Navatilova.

Other candidates for the sportswoman's award includes Olympic shot put champion Valerie Adams of New Zealand, Nordic skiing Olympic champion Marit Bjorgen of Norway, 1,500m indoor world record holder Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia and Alping skiing Olympic gold medalist Tina Maze of Slovenia.

Valerie, for the fourth year in succession, ended the season undefeated, having won 14 competitions in which she competed, bringing her unbeaten steak to 56. She was named IAAF women's athlete of year after she won all seven Diamond League events and gold medals in the world indoor championships and the Commonwealth Games.

Both Bjorgen and Maze had their great performance in Sochi winter Olympic Games where Bjorgen became the most decorated female winter Olympian in history by winning three gold medals in the 15km skiathlon, team sprint and 30km freestyle events at 33.

Slovenian Maze had a memorable year when she won two gold medals, taking the downhill gold, shared with Swiss Dominique Gisin, and the giant slalom. These were the first Olympic gold medals ever won by Slovenia.