Chinese table tennis star Ding Ning has announced her retirement and a plan to attend Peking University.

"I'm 'student Ning' of the Peking University now. Hopefully, I can continue to contribute to the sports cause and everybody. My career as a table tennis player has curtained down today, and I will work hard for new dreams and challenge new possibilities in the future," the 21-time world champion wrote on Weibo on Monday.

Ding will enroll in the sports major postgraduate program at the prestigious academic institution.

According to Chinese Table Tennis Association chief Liu Guoliang, Ding shed tears when she first spoke about her decision to retire, as she was deeply emotionally attached to the sport she loved.

"I cherish every moment with table tennis over the past 26 years: from taking up the sport at five years old to pursuing my dreams in Beijing at 10, representing China in international competitions, achieving Grand Slam at the Olympics, bearing China's flag at the Rio Olympic Games closing ceremony," Ding wrote in her statement.

"Table tennis has taught me, whether at high peak or in low ebb, to always have a brave heart as there is no easy way in chasing dreams. No one is invincible, and you have to face up to failures and difficulties...Sporting spirit is far more than win or lose," said Ding, expressing her gratitude to her team, coaches, teammates, family and fans.

Ding completed a grand slam of titles in 2016 after winning the Rio Olympics gold medal. She became the captain of the Chinese women's team in February 2017.

Praise flooded in following Ding's announcement.

Liu Guoliang commented that Ding "had a successful career while undergoing some setbacks," and that the resilient spirit she developed out of tough times became her trademark characteristic in competitions.

"I hope she can bring the Chinese table tennis team's tradition and her positive character to her new studying life and continue to show her persistence as she did as a player," said Li Sun, head coach of the Chinese women's table tennis team.

"Hopefully she can dig out greater potential in more aspects other than table tennis and sports," said Grand Slam winner Zhang Yining.

(With input from Xinhua)