Gopichand opts out of Thomas Cup

All England badminton Champion Pullela Gopichand has opted out of the Thomas Cup as he is yet to recover from an injured knee.

"I have opted out of the tournament on the advice of my doctor as the knee has to completely heal before I take up competitive play," Gopichand told PTI today, in Hyderabad.

The qualifying matches of Thomas Cup would be played in Netherlands from February 17 to 21 and the final in China in May.

Gopichand said he was on course of recovery and any serious play at this stage may aggravate the injury.

"After a long lay off I have been going to some training and doing a bit of shadows," Gopichand said when asked if he is started practice.

"It's a slow process," he said adding it might take another fortnight for him to get into groove completely.

He, however, expressed the hope that he would be fully fit to defend his All England Badminton title.