New mom Yan Zi to return for China Open

Chinese tennis player Yan Zi announced her comeback on Tuesday, after a year's leave to have a baby.

Yan will play in the doubles matches as a wild card at the China Open, which will be held in Beijing from Sept 29 to Oct 17, said the tournament organizing committee on Tuesday.

Chinese tennis player Yan Zi speaks to the media at a China Open press conference in Beijing on Tuesday. [Photo/Xinhua]

Yan, 27, withdrew from the French Open in 2011 due to her pregnancy. She gave birth to a girl in January.

She downplayed questions about whether she will repeat the miracle of Belgium player Kim Clijsters, who came back after giving birth and won the US Open singles title in 2009, saying her focus will remain more on her family.

"I can't very well leave my child. So I will not play matches a lot like Zheng Jie [another Chinese female tennis player]. I will be selective on tournaments."

Yan?plays both singles and doubles.

The year 2006 marked the most glorious year for Yan, as she won two grand slam doubles titles with partner Zheng Jie, in the Australia Open and Wimbledon.