Reigning Australian Open champion Li Na is reportedly retiring from professional tennis after participating at the China Open in October, according to former professional tennis player and analyst Mary Carillo.

Beijing Hour first broke the news about Li's 'plan' to bid goodbye from the sport at the conclusion of the Wu Han Open (China Open), per Carillo's report.

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After winning her maiden crown in Melbourne, Li has been in a free-fall as of late because of injuries and frustrations caused by her split with tennis coach Carlos Rodriguez.

The Chinese last played at the Wimbledon Open, where she bowed out in the third round. She was planning to participate in the North American hard court season, but a knee injury derailed her plan along with her bid to add another Grand Slam trophy. Her absences in the final Grand Slam tournament of the year pushed her down in the WTA World rankings.

Tennis great Martina Navratilova apparently predicted Li's situation following the China's victory at the Australian Open. The 18-time women's singles Grand Slam winner lauded Li for her epic feat in Melbourne, but warned her about the pitfalls of aging.

"So she's had a great year, she won a slam which is amazing, but now she may not play the rest of the year, so it's up in the air for her," Navratilova said during of WTA's promotional tour last August. "Game-wise, does she have a slam, yes, but is the body going to cooperate?"

It was not the first time the 33-year-old Li considered retirement. In 2013, she also attempted to give up her career, though the hunger to win more titles eventually prevailed.

Max Eisenbud, who represents Li and tennis darling Maria Sharapova, downplayed the rumors by clearing that his client won't retire anytime soon.

Aside from Li, the Wuhan Open will also feature World's No.1 Serena Williams, Simona Halep, Petro Kvitova, Maria Sharapova and Agnieszka Radwanska.

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