Li Na nominated in Laureus World Sports Awards

Retired Chinese tennis star Li Na smiles and waves during a retirement ceremony prior to the night session of the Day 1 matches at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Jan 19, 2015. [Photo/IC]

Li Na and husband Jiang Shan expecting first child

The retired dual Grand Slam winner announced her pregnancy at Rod Laver Arena, where she claimed the title a year ago, during a ceremony ahead of the night session on Jan 19's opening day of the tournament.

"This summer, Jiang Shan and I expect our first child," Li said, joking that her husband had got her pregnant quickly, “he just made one ace.”

Li later posted a message on Facebook saying she chose to make the big announcement at Rod Laver Arena because of the special connection she felt with the Australian crowd during her two runner-up finishes at Melbourne Park in 2011 and 2013 and her title run last year.

"I was no longer alone out there fighting my opponent (and sometimes myself); today it felt like I was in the company of my 15,000 friends," she wrote. "And it really feels like this baby is going to enter the world already having about 15,000 friends."

"We can't wait to become parents and start this new chapter together," she wrote.

Speculation surrounding her pregnancy had been rife since she appeared during the WTA Shenzhen Open earlier in January as media and fans noticed she was wearing a baggy dress and sneakers during ceremonies.