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.
Two-time major champion Li Na and coach Carlos Rodriguez are parting ways after nearly two years together.
World number two Li Na became the biggest seed casualty at the Wimbledon as she was shocked by Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7- 5) at the third round on Friday.
Li Na has always been willing to speak her mind, often with a dose of humor, whether she's criticizing her husband in a stadium interview for snoring or correcting a reporter for a question that might not have told the whole story.
Second seed Li Na crashed out of the French Open in a 7-5, 3-6, 6-1 defeat against world no. 103 Kristina Mladenovic of France.
Six different champions over the past six years suggest that tipping a French Open women's champion is something of a lottery, but those backing world No 1 Serena Williams are surely investing wisely.
Li Na, Chinese tennis star, current World No.2 and winner of two Grand Slam titles, is featured on the May 26 issue of TIME magazine.
Top seed Li Na beat Casey Dellacqua in straight sets in the second round of Internazionali BNL d'Italia tournament on Tuesday to record the 500th professional match win of her career.
Wax figure of Li Na, China's tennis idol, is on show in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province.
The world No 2 tennis player shot a series of photos for the Chinese magazine, demonstrating her sports spirit outside the tennis court.
Maria Sharapova rallied to earn a spot in the semifinals of the Madrid Open on Friday, a few hours after defending champion Serena Williams withdrew from her match because of injury.
Australian Open champion Li Na advanced to the Madrid Open quarterfinals after coming back from a set down, while two-time defending champion Serena Williams won more routinely.
Li Na of China returns the ball to her compatriot Zheng Jie during their match at the Madrid Open tennis tournament May 6, 2014.