China’s Li Na, Asia’s only grand slam singles champion, announced her retirement from tennis on Friday, due to the effect of long-term knee injuries.

“The task of finally making a decision to retire is a lot more difficult than winning seven matches in a row,” she said in a letter posted on her Facebook page. “It took me several very painful months to finally come to the decision that my chronic（慢性的）injuries will never again let me be the tennis player that I can be.”

The 32-year-old, known as “Big Sister Na” and “Golden Flower” in China, won the 2011 French Open then this year’s Australian Open. She climbed to number two in the world rankings but her knees were getting worse and she skipped this year’s U.S. Open. This led to people’s guess that her fruitful career was drawing to a close.

“Most people in the tennis world know that my career has been marked by my troubled right knee. The black brace I wear over it when I step on the court has become my tennis birth mark. And while the brace completes my tennis look, the knee problems have at times overtaken my life,” she said. “After four knee operations and hundreds of shots injected into my knee weekly to stop swelling and pain, my body is begging me to stop the injury.”

One of the most popular and marketable players on the tour, news of her retirement set off a flood of tributes.

The Chinese Tennis Association, in a statement of the official Xinhua news agency, said it respected her decision and wished her the best. “We also thank Li Na for the optimistic and proud, shining moments she gave to Chinese tennis in her competitive career,” it said.

Top tennis players posted notes to her on their social media accounts. Caroline Wozniacki wrote: “Li Na, one of the funniest and nicest players on tour! A great competitor and a role model both on and off the court! You will be missed!! An exciting new chapter starts today!”

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1.Why did Li Na decide to retire from the tennis court?

A She couldn’t win seven matches in a row.

B She had hundreds of shots injected into her knee every week.

C She had chronic knee injuries that prevented her from playing on.

D Her black brace has completed her tennis look.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据文章第一段…due to the effect of long-term knee injuries可知，李娜因为长期的膝部伤病不得不宣布退役。

2.What was the use of the black brace?

A It was Li Na’s tennis birth mark.

B It was used to ease her pain in the knee.

C It helped Li Na play well on the tour.

D It represented Li Na’s fruitful career.

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据文章第四段，并结合常识可知，李娜佩戴黑护膝的原因是为了保护膝盖，缓解膝部伤痛。

3.What is suggested in the passage?

A Many people expressed their admiration to Li Na’s achievements.

B Li Na is a very popular player and makes the most money on the tour.

C People felt a pity for her to retire from tennis.

D She will start a new career very soon.

解析：选A。A 推理判断题。根据文章第五段One of the most popular and marketable players…her retirement set off a flood of tributes可知，人们对于李娜的成绩表示钦佩，纷纷在社交网站上表达敬意。

4.What do other top tennis players think of Li Na?

A She had many shining moments in her career.

B She was enthusiastic and proud.

C She was the funniest player on tour.

D She has set a good example for the young people.

解析：选D。D 细节理解题。根据文章第七段A great competitor and a role model both on and off the court可知，李娜不仅是一位优秀的运动员，也起到了年轻人榜样的作用。

5.What can be the best title of the passage?

A Li Na Retires from Tennis.

B Tennis Star Suffers from Chronic Injuries.

C Li Na, the Most Marketable Tennis Player.

D Tennis Star’s Retirement Draws Much Attention.

解析：选A。A 主旨大意题。本文对李娜因伤病退役的情况进行了报道。故选A。