Singapore's Olympic badminton hopes suffered a blow when the city-state's number one walked out on the national squad citing personal reasons.

"I just don't feel like playing badminton and want to take a break to rest for a while," 24-year-old Li Li said.

"I don't know if I will continue with badminton. Right now, I'm planning to return to Wuhan to spend Chinese New Year with my parents. I need time to think about my future in the sport," she told Today newspaper.

At the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, Li Li upset England's Tracey Hallam in the women's singles final to win Singapore's first Commonwealth badminton gold.

The world number 27 had been part of Project 0812, Singapore's initiative launched last January with the goal of clinching an Olympic medal at the 2008 or 2012 Games.

The project is armed with a war chest of some $5 million and comprises athletes from sailing, table tennis, shooting and badminton.

Copyright © 2008 The Guardian