China’s Li Na, the 2011 French Open champion, is preparing for the US Open with a clean slate after hiring former Justine Henin coach Carlos Rodriguez on a trial basis to steer a comeback bid.
The 30-year-old Asian star, who vaulted into international sporting icon status in her home country of 1.3 billion people, has had a hard time keeping the form that brought China’s first Grand Slam title.
Without a title since taking Roland Garros some 15 months ago for her sixth career crown, Li has lost three finals this year and found modifications in her tennis and personal life were becoming more and more necessary.
