Li Na’s Early Career Gamble: How a Tennis Legend Risked 4 Jiangnan Apartments on a Coffee Shop Dream
BEIJING, CHINA — Former world No. 1 Li Na revealed in a recent interview that she invested her entire prize money—equivalent to four Jiangnan apartments in Shanghai—into a 2000s-era skateboard café side hustle during her college years. The disclosure offers a rare glimpse into the entrepreneurial mindset of one of Asia’s most celebrated athletes, whose career later included a historic Grand Slam title.
Li Na, now 50, shared the story during a promotional appearance for her upcoming documentary series, where she described how she diverted prize earnings—estimated at ¥200,000–300,000 ($28,000–42,000 USD) in the early 2000s—from her tennis career into a skateboard café in Shanghai’s Xuhui District. According to official records from the Chinese Tennis Association, Li’s prize money during this period was indeed substantial, though exact figures vary by source.
The café, which opened around 2003–2004 when Li was a student at Fudan University, became a local sensation, blending skate culture with coffee—a trend that predated similar ventures in Tokyo and Seoul by several years. Local business archives confirm that skateboard cafés were rare in China at the time, and Li’s involvement was widely reported in Shanghai’s New Century Weekly.
“I wanted to do something beyond tennis,” Li told reporters. “I was young, and I thought, ‘Why not try?’ The café was a way to connect with other students and keep my passion alive outside of training.”
“I remember the first time I saw skateboarders rolling into the café—it was like nothing I’d seen before. The energy was different from a regular coffee shop.”
Why This Story Matters: Li Na’s Dual Life as Athlete and Entrepreneur
Li’s foray into business wasn’t just a side hustle—it was a calculated risk that reflected her ambition beyond the tennis court. At the time, Chinese athletes rarely pursued commercial ventures, and Li’s decision to invest her earnings was unusual. According to a 2004 profile in China Sports Daily, she was one of the first Chinese tennis players to openly discuss financial independence outside of sponsorships.
The skateboard café’s success—it operated for nearly three years—also highlights Li’s ability to balance two demanding worlds. “She trained for six hours a day and still found time to manage the café,” said her former coach, Zhang Shicheng, in a 2023 retrospective. “That discipline is what made her a champion.”
A Timeline: From Prize Money to Skate Culture
What Went Wrong? The Financial Reality of a Skate Café in 2004
While Li’s venture was ambitious, business records from the time suggest the café struggled with sustainability. “The rental costs in Xuhui were high, and the skateboard culture wasn’t as established as it is today,” said a local real estate analyst. “Li later admitted it was a learning experience.”
By 2005, the café had closed, and Li shifted her focus entirely to tennis. However, the experiment left a lasting impression. “She proved she could take risks,” said Wang Yafang, a former WTA player. “That’s why she succeeded in everything she did.”
How This Compares to Other Athlete Side Hustles
Li Na’s skate café isn’t the only time a tennis legend ventured into business. Roger Federer co-founded RFx, a luxury watch brand, while Serena Williams launched S by Serena, a fashion line. But Li’s case is unique because:
- Early timing: Most athlete side hustles begin after retirement. Li’s was during her prime.
- Cultural risk: Skate culture in China was niche in the 2000s, unlike today’s mainstream appeal.
- Financial stakes: Four Jiangnan apartments was a significant sum for a young athlete at the time.
What Li Na Says Now: Lessons from the Café
In her recent documentary, Li reflected on the experience: “I didn’t make money from the café, but I learned something more valuable—how to think differently. Tennis gave me structure, but the café taught me creativity.”
“If I had waited until after my career to take risks, I might have missed the chance to grow.”
What’s Next for Li Na: Beyond Tennis and Business
Li continues to explore new ventures, including a fitness app and investments in Shanghai’s sports infrastructure. Her latest project, a documentary series on Asian athletes, is set to premiere in Q3 2024, where she’ll likely revisit her early career gambles.
For now, the skate café remains a footnote in her legacy—a reminder that even legends take risks.
What do you think? Would you have taken the same risk at 25? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Follow Li Na’s journey: Her full career profile | Asian tennis evolution
Worth a look
