Tennis champ Li Na ranks Dainty Sichuan

ADD tennis champ Li Na to the list of visiting foodies (Anthony Bourdain, David Chang) for whom South Yarra's Dainty Sichuan is chilli catnip. She tells Espresso that, in her opinion, Melbourne also ''has the best Chinatown'', and the smaller restaurants she's found in Melbourne are some of the best she's eaten at on her extensive travels. Li tries to celebrate Chinese New Year (starting February 10) no matter where in the world she is. ''If there's a tournament, all the Chinese players get together at a restaurant to celebrate,'' she says. Li confesses she doesn't cook much but loves eating: ''It's easier.'' While she favours spicy Sichuan flavours, Li says fiery spice doesn't work before a tournament. ''I eat some rice, vegetables and a little bit of fish the day before a game.'' She also loves the Cantonese flavours of Silks in Crown, for whom she's an ambassador. And her tip to celebrate the Year of the Snake? ''You should have a whole fish on the table, steamed, with some soy sauce and ginger.'' Other tennis star dining movements, Crown reports, include Maria Sharapova at Man Tong Kitchen, Andy Murray and Roger Federer at Nobu, and Novak Djokovic at Bistro Guillaume.