She had problems with her health didn't she? Was struggling to play at a high level if I remember rightly, or am I completely mistaken here? Either way, do we know if this is an honorary Yonex Legends style comeback, or a real push at the competitive scene?
She was injured during the semifinals match against CM, the gold medalist and missed the bronze match against NO in 2016 Olympic.
wasn't it an ACL tear? thats very nasty, social media did convey some knee surgery but that was around olympics.
It's all in here guys, just do a bit of reading. Hint: Start at post #977. Sad as it may be, I don't think we will see her back at top level competitive badminton again.
We'll have to see how she does. She might not be an OG again, but she might still be a good SS/IC player.
Frankly, I'm not too hopeful either. An injury comeback after about one year and six months, I believe and should expect it to be fraught with difficulties and challenges, what's more she's no longer young at 27 now, born 24th Jan 1991, unlike Kento Momota who wasn't due to injury for the imposed on eyear break and he's still relatively young at 23, even then his comeback isn't smooth at the highest level, to say the least. For a start, she will be out of tournament practice and not match-fit, and showing signs of rustiness and inconsistency, perhaps even struggling with lack of fitness and stamina now and then. It will require tremendous willpower and determination to keep going and defy the odds. Let's see if she's made of sterner stuff. All the best to Li Xuerui . Jiayou !
http://k.sina.com.cn/article_1272086304_4bd27f20001006863.html?from=sports&subch=badminton dated 8th April 2018 Li Xuerui posted on her weibo (microblog) two days before setting off for the Lingsui Masters WTS100 tournament:" Hey...I am ready." Incidentally, as of 8th April when she posted the above, she has 'disappeared' for 597 days since her injury at Rio'16. Her weibo message triggered much attention and discussion from netizens. Some responded online: Finally waited for you. China's WD ace, Huang Yaqiong, showed her support " Jiayou ~ Li Xuerui" and WS Gao Fangjie who was teased by LXR's roommates for being LXR's lookalike cheered her on " Await your triumphant return !" Li Xuerui's luggage and kitbag before she set off for Lingsui The author once in a badminton magazine's Q & A segment asked Li Xuerui " If you return to the badminton arena, what do you look forward to or thirst for most ?" at which she replied imperiously " When I return, definitely I want to beat all my opponents ! Since I've elected to persevere and, furthermore, I've been very serious and hardworking in working on my recovery, then my goal is not just to return to the arena, rather to return victorious, otherwise there's no meaning to it." On the 600th day of her return to the international arena on Wednesday, 11th April, 2018, Li Xuerui will play her very first comeback match. All the very best ! Jiayou!
http://sports.sina.com.cn/o/2018-04-12/doc-ifyzeyqa8669328.shtml Li Xuerui in her opening match with Chen Nianzu yesterday said:" It's been a long time since I've been the centre of attention, really felt nervous, I've never been so nervous before, hahaha." In yesterday's match, she misjudged the backline several times, even her forehand attacking shots went long many times. She admitted frankly, what she lacked most upon returning to competition is her feel for the game. She said," Actually, everything remains the same as far as playing in tournament is concerned, the arena, the court, the umpiring, linejudging, etc, it's just that I've been away so long, it felt strange, most directly is the feeling of uncertainty when I stand on court. I hope to regain that feeling of old again as quickly as possible." Even her parents were in the stadium to cheer and root for her. While her opening match victory is good news, no doubt, at this moment , Li Xuerui is clearly not in her best form at all. It's just that Li Xuerui is fully aware of what she has to do going forward. Perhaps her opponent, Chen Nianzu's words, says it all at the post-match interview:" I feel that Li Xuerui has not reached her top form, I wish for her to win the championship."
I suspect Li Xuerui's R2 victory today over Fan Mengyan by the score of 21-16, 21-14, in 28 minutes (it was 21-18, 21-16 in 29 minutes against Chen Nianzu in R1), followed the same pattern, i.e. not a convincing win and error-prone. Her Quarterfinal opponent tomorrow against ex-CHN player, Deng Joy Xuan, now playing for HKSAR, should pose a stronger challenge. Let's see how it goes.
