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(CNN)Chinese tennis player Li Na’s mother is expecting a baby.
The two-time Grand Slam champion, who retired from tennis in 2014, decided to break the news of her pregnancy at the Australian Open at Rod Laver Stadium.
“Me and Dennis, we’re so excited,” 32-year-old Li said in reference to her husband at an on-court ceremony at the tournament in Melbourne, where she won her second Grand Slam in 2014.
“I think Dennis is doing a good job,” she added, before joking, “He just made an ace.”
Often the butt of Li’s sense of humor, her husband was in the stands as China’s pioneering tennis player revealed the imminent arrival of the couple’s first child this summer.
After retiring in September 2014 due to chronic knee problems, the tennis star has made having a family a priority, and CNN’s Pat Cash said in an interview on Sunday that “family is the most important thing to me.”
Li triumphed at both the French (2011) and Australian Open (2014) and became the highest-ranked Asian player the world has ever seen, reaching second place in the world.
She later took to Facebook to share more about her excitement at the prospect of becoming a mother.
“Dennis and I are expecting our first child this summer. We are over the moon!” she wrote.
“I felt great and Dennis and I have taken some trips and enjoyed this special time in our lives. We can’t wait to become parents and start this new chapter together.”
Referring to the Melbourne crowd, she added: “It really feels like this baby is about to be born and already has like 15,000 friends.”
Not just 15,000 friends – there are also China’s 1.3 billion people, after Li’s sporting success made her a household name in her native country.
It is estimated that over 100 million Chinese watched live TV coverage of their 2011 French Open victory, reportedly the largest TV audience for any single sporting event in China.
Back at the Australian Open, all eyes were on Li after she decided to announce her news at the Melbourne event.
“I’m looking forward to spending a few more days in Australia and wish all the players and the tournament the best of luck! I can’t wait to be back!” she added on Facebook.
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