Li Na out of US Open

[simtast204]

NEW YORK -- Two-time major champion Li Na is pulling out of the US Open because of a knee injury.
The only tennis player from China to win a Grand Slam singles title is also withdrawing from hard-court events in Montreal and Cincinnati over the next two weeks.
Li says Thursday in a posting on Facebook that she has "been struggling" with her knee since March "and it is just not where I need it to be in order to play at the highest level."
The U.S. Tennis Association tells The Associated Press that Li informed the tournament she won't play. The US Open begins Aug. 25.
Li won the Australian Open in January for her second major title. She also won the 2011 French Open.

I will miss her. Get well soon Li, get well soon.

 

[Old Lion]

Clock may be running out on her. She is on the wrong side of 30 and now the injuries are piling up. Expect her to fall out of the top 5 and maybe top 10 by the beginning of next year. She will still be a threat but I think less consistent.

 

[cezero]

She's 32, she's made one SF at the Open, and she dropped the coach who helped her get to another major a few months ago.

I'd say she's a year away from irrelevance and maybe 18 months away from retirement.

 

[nuraman00]

That's possible.

I think the women's game is unpredictable though, we could see a comeback during at least one major, where she makes the SFs, within the next 4-5 majors.

 

[cezero]

That's possible.

I think the women's game is unpredictable though, we could see a comeback during at least one major, where she makes the SFs, within the next 4-5 majors.

I'd be happy to see it. When she's on, that backhand is truly extraordinary. One of the best shots in history when it's on, which is highly sporadic.

 

[nuraman00]

I'd be happy to see it. When she's on, that backhand is truly extraordinary. One of the best shots in history when it's on, which is highly sporadic.

Whose backhand do you like more, Li or Serena?

I liked Li a lot when she hit the ball flatter. I don't like the topspin she added this past year, even though it helped her win another major.

 

[cezero]

I'd give the edge to Serena. It's the most efficient shot I've seen in the past 10 years. Take back is so early, and she can go anywhere with it even on days that other parts of her game aren't so sharp. It just never really breaks down.

 

[nuraman00]

I'd give the edge to Serena. It's the most efficient shot I've seen in the past 10 years. Take back is so early, and she can go anywhere with it even on days that other parts of her game aren't so sharp. It just never really breaks down.

Great post, agree.