China's Li Na is among the eight nominees on the ballot for International Tennis Hall of Fame induction in 2019.

The two-time major champion has the chance to become the first player from Asia to receive the honor.

The other seven on the list are Jonas Bjorkman from Sweden, Conchita Martinez from Spain, Russia's Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Croatian Goran Ivanisevic, Sergi Bruguera from Spain, Mary Pierce from France and Austria's Thomas Muster.

“I feel exceedingly honored to be nominated for the International Tennis Hall of Fame," said Li Na, according to Tencent Sports.

"Tennis in China is still a young sport and I’m lucky to be part of its promotion. I’m so glad to see so many young faces joining me and more Chinese players in the tours.” 

Set up in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1954, the International Tennis Hall of Fame has 254 members from 23 countries. The organization announced on Monday that, for the first time in 64 years, fans will be able to vote for their favorite players.

“We’re thrilled to add this new fan voting component to the Hall of Fame voting process," said CEO Todd Martin. "Creating an authentic connection between tennis fans and the greatest champions of our sport will be an engaging execution of our mission to promote and celebrate tennis history.” 

The voting will begin on August 27 and will close on October 7. Candidates will need to get 75 percent of affirmative votes from the main selection panel made up of Hall of Famers, journalists and tennis historians to be elected, as usual. However, if a player ends up just short of the threshold, like at 74 percent, fan voting can help.

Candidates who receive top 3 of fan votes will get an extra bonus that will be added to their final percentage of support. The No.1 vote-getter will receive three percent while No.2 and No.3 will get two and one percent respectively. For example, if a player receives 74 percent of affirmative votes from the main selection panel, which is not enough to be elected, but wins the most fan votes, that will make his/her final support 77 percent and help him/her get elected.

The chosen inductees to the International Tennis Hall of Fame will be announced in January.

(Top picture: Li Na at the women's invitation doubles round-robin match at Wimbledon. /VCG Photo )