Ann Li (Chinese: 李吉妮; born June 26, 2000) is an American professional tennis player known for her steady rise on the WTA Tour. She has achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No. 42 and a doubles ranking of No. 150 as of October 2025. Li first gained international attention as a junior finalist at the 2017 Wimbledon girls’ singles, and she has since established herself as a consistent competitor on the professional circuit.
Quick Facts of Ann Li
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ann Li |
| Date of Birth | June 26, 2000 |
| Age | 25 (2025) |
| Place of Birth | King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Turned Pro | 2017 |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Coach | Henner Nehles (2020–present) |
| Career Prize Money | $3,037,121 |
| Career Titles | 2 WTA singles titles |
| Highest Singles Ranking | No. 42 (13 October 2025) |
| Current Singles Ranking | No. 44 (22 September 2025) |
| Highest Doubles Ranking | No. 150 (20 October 2025) |
| Current Doubles Ranking | No. 170 (22 September 2025) |
Early Life and Background
Ann Li was born to Chinese immigrant parents in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Her father played college soccer and her mother ran track in college, while her aunt was a professional speed skater in China. Growing up in a sports-oriented family, Li started playing tennis at the age of five, following her older brothers to their lessons in Philadelphia.
As a junior, Li reached a career-high ranking of No. 12 globally and made history as a finalist at the 2017 Wimbledon girls’ singles, marking her as one of America’s promising young talents.
Professional Career
2017: Junior Success and Pro Debut
Li reached her first junior Grand Slam final at Wimbledon, losing to Claire Liu in a three-set match. Shortly after, she won her first professional title on the ITF Circuit at a $15k tournament in Evansville, Indiana.
2018–2019: Early Professional Challenges
Li gained experience on the ITF Circuit, with notable wins over players like Heather Watson and Sabine Lisicki. Despite early exits in qualifying rounds at Grand Slam events, she steadily improved her performance against higher-ranked opponents.
2020: Breakthrough into Top 100
Li qualified for her first Grand Slam main draw at the Australian Open 2020, reaching the second round. At the US Open 2020, she made the third round, defeating 13th seed Alison Riske. Her consistent performances helped her break into the WTA top 100 at No. 97.
2021: First WTA Title
Li won her maiden WTA Tour title at the Tenerife Ladies Open, defeating Camila Osorio in straight sets. She also reached the third round of the Australian Open, rising into the top 50 with a career-high ranking of No. 48.
2022–2023: WTA 1000 Success
At the Miami Open 2022, Li reached the third round of a WTA 1000 event, defeating third seed Anett Kontaveit. She also recorded her first Wimbledon main-draw win, beating Lucia Bronzetti. Li qualified for multiple tournaments in 2023, maintaining steady growth in her rankings.
2024: WTA 125 Title and Finals
Li claimed her first WTA 125 title at the BBVA Open Internacional de Valencia. She also reached finals at Mérida Open and Palermo, showcasing resilience and strategic gameplay.
2025: Consistent Performances and US Open Fourth Round
Li reached three WTA 250 finals, including the Singapore Open and Guangzhou Open, and advanced to the fourth round of the US Open for the first time. She also reached the quarterfinals in Prague and Morocco, further solidifying her position in the WTA top 50.
Playing Style and Strengths
Li is right-handed with a two-handed backhand. She is known for her:
- Powerful baseline game
- Aggressive groundstrokes
- Mental toughness in critical matches
- Ability to perform against higher-ranked opponents
She continues to work on improving her return game and first-serve consistency, which have been key areas of development in her career.
Personal Life
Off the court, Li enjoys playing the ukulele and values a balanced lifestyle. She is fluent in her Chinese heritage and draws inspiration from her family’s athletic background.
Career Highlights
- 2017: Wimbledon Junior Singles Finalist
- 2020: US Open Third Round, broke into WTA Top 100
- 2021: First WTA Title – Tenerife Ladies Open
- 2024: WTA 125 Champion – BBVA Open Internacional de Valencia
- 2025: US Open Fourth Round; three WTA 250 finals
