Tennis History: Li Na Being Slapped in Award Ceremony, 2001

After beating Dominika Cibulkova to win Australia Open final and win her second Grand Slam title, Li Na, No.1 woman tennis player in China was awarded by Hu Bei Government with RMB800,000 prize.

However, in the award ceremony, Li Na looked not very happy and always showed her poker face to the bureaucrat and the journalists, which led to some criticism from the mainstream media: Li Na, what's wrong with you (as you should have shown a flattering smile to the governor)?

Soon some netizens made the explanation: this was just the fightback from Li Na to the bureaucracy. Li Na is well known for her "speak her mind" attitude and has caused a hot of heat among Chinese media. Yet, no governmental administrative like such an attitude and find every chance to humiliate Li Na to teach her a lesson.

There is a video going viral recently: in the tennis mixed doubles award ceremony at 2001 China's Ninth National Games, Li Na was slapped by a Chinese official. The reason was said that Li Na did not finish the game as instructed by certain officials and made them angry. And the officials decided to give Li Na a lesson even when she got a medal.

So, for Li Na with her outspoken personality, how can she tolerate such a bureaucracy and show her lovely smile to them?