'Li Na factor' not enough for China to become tennis powerhouse: observers

Wuhan, China

LI Na's Grand Slam wins did miraculous things for tennis in China but a cultural shift away from central planning towards individual development is needed if the country is to emerge as a powerhouse, experts say.

Tangible evidence of tennis's growth in China comes in the form of the Wuhan Open's new, 15,000-seat stadium, opened by Li last month, which has a similar capacity to Wimbledon's Centre Court.

Steady crowds and the presence of 12 Chinese players in the women's top 200 - behind only Russia, the United States and the Czech Republic - also demonstrate tennis's upward trajectory. Much of the growth is directly attributable to Li, Asia's first Grand Slam singles champion who won…