Li Na, the first Chinese to reach the quarterfinals of a grand
slam at Wimbledon last year, has pulled out of this year's event
because of injury, the Chinese Tennis Association (CTA) said on
Friday.
The 25-year-old, China's best hope of a singles gold medallist
at next year's Beijing Olympics, has been replaced as 18th seed by
France's Marion Bartoli.
"She was injured in her rib region during (the warm-up event) in
Birmingham," the Chinese Tennis Association (CTA) said in a
statement.
"Medical staff have suggested she stops all training and
competition to rest and heal."
?
Zheng Jie, who won the women's doubles with fellow-Chinese Yan Zi
at Wimbledon last year, had already been forced to withdraw from
the tournament because of an ankle injury.
(China Daily via agencies June 23, 2007)