After creating history by becoming the first Chinese and first Asia-born player to win a grand slam singles title, Li Na, is all set to become the first Asian to be enlisted into the prestigious International Tennis Hall of Fame. 

On Saturday, Li will be enshrined along with fellow 2019 Hall of Fame class members Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Mary Pierce, in Newport, Rhode Island.

Ahead of her much-acclaimed induction into the highest echelon of former tennis legends, the Chinese tennis star spent part of Thursday speaking to children and conducting a clinic at a tennis club in New York City. Li retired in 2014 at age 32 because of recurring knee injuries, eight months after winning that year's Australian Open and rising to a career-high No. 2 in the WTA rankings.

Her first singles title in a major came at the 2011 French Open, where she defeated four of her top-10 opponents along the way. She also was the runner-up in the Australian Open twice.

While speaking to media, Li said: "Exciting, nervous, of course. But, for me, it's not easy getting in the International Hall of Fame…for me, it's everything. Yeah, at least I always try my best at tennis on the court. If you try everything, I think one day for sure there will be pay back."

Meanwhile, she also highlighted China's recent success in world tennis and added: "For me, China's tennis is still young. They can have a lot of time to grow up."