It is the second time Li Na was nominated for the award in Laureus, an Oscar-like ceremony after she became a candidate in 2012.
Li Na, the first Chinese singles player to win a Grand Slam title, added another significant first to her collection on Friday by reaching the WTA Championships semifinals.
For me, Friday night's WTA Championships match was all about mental strength.
Chinese player Li Na advanced to her first WTA Championships final by sweeping past 2011 winner Petra Kvitova 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday.
Li Na advanced to her first WTA Championships final by sweeping Petra Kvitova 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday.
For me, Friday night's WTA Championships match was all about mental strength. I tried to concentrate on my game instead of paying attention to Victoria's injury.
Li Na made it a hat-trick of victories, overpowering Azarenka 6-2 6-1 to power through to the semi-finals of the WTA Championship.
China's Li Na outlasted Jelena Jankovic 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 for her second victory in two matches while top-ranked Serena Williams advanced to the semifinals of the WTA Championships by sweeping past Petra Kvitova 6-2, 6-3 on Thursday.
Li Na opened her WTA Championship campaign with a 6-3, 7-6 (5) victory over Sara Errani on Wednesday.
Despite bagging only one WTA title so far in 2013, Li Na still rates this season as the best of her 14-year career.
The chance of making Li Na's first semi-final appearance at the WTA Championships worked out to be decent.
The head of women's tennis is more than willing to take a backseat to Chinese star Li Na as the Wuhan native's impact on the game's growth in the Asia-Pacific region continues to grow.
Wuhan, capital city of Hubei province, will play host to the Asian leg of the Women's Tennis Association Premier 5 tour in September 2014.