(Photo : New York Times Corrected News Screenshot)

The New York Times has apologized to Chinese tennis superstar Li Na over a misleading report, which stated that she was forced by her coach to take steroid pills in 2002.

Like Us on Facebook

According to the NYT report, Li was forced into resignation in 2002 because she refused to take the steroid pills that his coach forced her to take.

It seems that the NYT got lost in translation because the pills referred to in Li's Chinese language biography "Fighting Alone" was not steroids but hormonal pill. And, yes, Li refused to take the pill for fear that she could develop allergies.

NYT Admits Error

According to a report by state-owned People's Daily, the NYT had sent an apology letter to the agent of the Chinese superstar after the paper's reporter admitted errors in the reporting.

The writer, Brook Larmer, said his report about Li's alleged steroid issue was based on interview with Li herself and from her Chinese biography. The book clearly stated that Li was asked by her coach to take a hormone pill to make her menstrual period stable but she refused because she was allergic to the said pill.

Officials of the Tennis Management Center of China's General Administration of Sport have also issued a statement denying allegations that Li Na was once forced to take steroid pills.

Steroid pills are prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency and several international athletes, including cycling champion Lance Armstrong, have been stripped of their titles after being found positive of steroid use.

Li, Zheng Advances to U.S. Open 3^rd Round

Li is currently playing in the U.S. Open, where she is scheduled to meet British tennis player Laura Robson. That match will serve as a repeat of the 2012 US Open where Robson defeated Li. Li said she is prepared to play against the British player.

Li advances to the third round of the Open together with another Chinese tennis player, Zheng Jie, who defeated crowd favorite Venus Williams in Round 2.