Free spirit Li speaks from the heart

Chinese tennis star Li Na says she's not about to change her persona just because some people think she might be too outspoken.

Li, who became the first Asian player to win a Grand Slam title last year at the French Open, tells it like it is, which is a rare quality among pro athletes from China.

"I always believe if you lie one time you have to work 10 times harder to recover that one lie," Li said on Sunday after beating compatriot Zheng Jie 6-1, 6-3 at the Indian Wells tournament. "So I don't want do that. I know if I say real things many people will hate me, but doesn't matter. I'm happy."