Intro:

2014 Australian Open women's champion Li Na had a wax statue of herself unveiled on Sunday (18th January) 24 hours before this year's tournament gets underway.

Making the statue - which even includes her famous right knee strapping - was a long process. Li had to pose for four straight hours.

The Chinese woman retired from professional tennis last year and won't defend her title in Melbourne.

Script:

SOUNDBITE (English) Li Na, 2014 Australian Open women's champion:(On her statue)

"I love it. Honestly. First I saw it when I had short hair, than when I changed the hairstyle she changed it as well. So I think it is an amazing job."

SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Li Na, 2014 Australian Open women's champion:

"This is an amazing moment for me as not all players have the chance to win their beloved tournament. I saw many pictures of me with the trophy from last year tournament and felt great about them as those are kind of approval and encouragement to me."

SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Li Na, 2014 Australian Open women's champion:

"I did come back to the tournament (as I promised last year). I just didn't specify how I would come back, it just isn't as a player."