Chinese spiker Li returns to Tianjin from Italy for treatment

ROME, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- China's star spiker Li Yingying has returned to the country for treatment, Italian volleyball club Vero Volley Milano announced on Sunday.

Li, 26, who had planned to join Vero Volley Milano in the new season, instead returned to her original club of Tianjin due to physical issues revealed in her routine medical examination.

"The athlete Li Yingying, in agreement with Numia Vero Volley Milano, her management agency Gold Sport and her original club Tianjin Bohai Bank Volleyball Club, announces that she has decided to temporarily return to China," read a club statement.

"This decision was made following numerous medical tests conducted in recent weeks, which revealed several physical issues that require further and more in-depth specialist assessments. With full collaboration and mutual understanding, all parties involved considered protecting the athlete's health and her sporting and personal future a priority," the statement added.

Li suffered a severe ankle injury in a match of China's women's volleyball league in February before returning to take part in the World Championship in August and China's National Games in November, but seemed to be a long way off her best form.

The side hitter confirmed the situation through her social media, saying: "Don't worry, I will do my best in the rehabilitation and try to return to the court as soon as possible. Thank you for everyone's support - it is the major force that encourages me to return."

Since winning the Women's World Cup in Japan in 2019, Li has been a key member of China's national team in the last two Olympic cycles. ■