Li Na named Laureus exceptional award winner

Li Nareacts during a Laureus interview event at the Shanghai Grand Theater in Shanghai, April 14, 2015. The Laureus Award ceremony will be held in Shanghai on Wednesday night. [Photo/IC]

Li Na's Laureus interview

Li Na, who was nominated for the sportswoman of the year in the Laureus World Sports Awards, said Tuesday that she enjoyed the life after retirement from tennis, saying that "I can sleep until I wake up natural."

"To sleep until natural wakeup" has been a dream for Li Na, who was forced to retire because of knee injuries after winning her second Grand Slam title - the Australian Open in 2014. She told media last April that "I did not sleep well for long. I really hope that I can sleep until I wake up natural when I don't have any matches and trainings."

"My life now without tennis is different. But I don't think I can live without tennis, it's been part of my life," said Li Na, who became the first Chinese to win the Grand Slam title when she won theFrench Openin 2011.More stories

Li Na named CCTV Sports Personality of Year 2014

The annual CCTV Sports Awards, recognized as the Chinese version of the Laureus World Sports Awards, is taken as the premier honors on the Chinese sporting calendar.

Li claimed both the Best Female Athlete of the Year and the Sports Special Contribution, for serving as a great milestone for the development of Chinese tennis.More stories