Li Na will not compete at French Open

(BEIJING, April 14) -- Chinese tennis player Li Na has pulled out of the French Open the head coach of China's women's tennis team, Jiang Hongwei, confirmed on Sunday.

Li received minor surgery on March 31 and will need six-week recovery, Jiang said, meaning the athlete won't be ready for the French Open, which takes place May 26-June 8. Li hopes to return to competition in time for Wimbledon, which takes place June 23-July 6, as part of her preparation for the Olympic Games.

Although missing the French Open will be a blow to Li's world rankings, and potentially affect her seed at the Beijing Olympics, Jiang said that the athlete's health must be the first priority. "Taking part in the Games," he said, "is enough."