French open champion Li Na was forced to retire from her first round match at the Open GDF Suez in Paris on Tuesday because of some severe back injury. At the time she was trailing Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova 7-6, 3-2.
Li said that she was feeling a little bit pain in her left side, which is why she decided to quit the tournament. She confessed that when the match started she was okay but gradually her health started deteriorating and was left with no other option than to quit. It was very painful and the whole thing started suddenly.
Li Na played some of her best matches at Fed cup in Israel that helped her gain confidence and her form back after a long time away from the limelight. She was enjoying her current form and the injury has become yet another obstacle on her career path. Li Na has dropped to No 9 in the WTA ranking. Though she has dropped to No 9, she has no points to defend till May so should move up in the rankings if she returns to the LTA circuit soon.
meanwhile Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai says that Li Na is someone she wants to imitate in the near future. She is an icon in China and that is because of her hard work and full confidence. Peng Shuai has been living in the shadows of compatriot Li Na since the beginning of her career.
Li Na is recovering and we hope to see her back again in the field, hopefully in time to hit top form in Paris – the latest Roland Garros betting puts her as third favourite. Let’s hope for the best!