China's Zheng, Li on course to return from injuries

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's top-ranked singles player Li Na and former Australian Open doubles champion Zheng Jie have recovered from injury and are on course to return to action in the New Year, according to local media.

Zheng, who missed her Wimbledon doubles title defence and the U.S. Open this year, has resumed practice after having surgery on an injured ankle, Gao Shenyang, vice director of China's Tennis Association, told the Xinhua news agency.

"It is positive that Zheng returns to professional tennis next January, playing in the Australian Open and the series before the year's first grand slam, and so (will) Li," he said.

World number 30 Li last played in June at a Wimbledon warm-up tournament, where she sustained a rib injury during a coughing fit brought about by her pollen allergy.

After a breakthrough year in 2006, China's women succumbed to a run of injuries and poor form in 2007, and local tennis officials have been accused of training exhausted players into the ground.

Gao said Li and Zheng's long recovery was deliberate.

"It will (be) good for the health of the players and the build-up to the Olympics," Gao said.

The Beijing Olympics take place from Aug. 8-24 next year.