Yao Ming has managed to come back from devastating injuries before.

Every time, the All-star center has returned to his Houston Rockets to be the backbone of the NBA team.

But now, at the age of 30 and still recovering a serious foot injury, China's greatest basketball player doubts he will ever reach such lofty heights again.

"I have no idea if I can return the peak of my form," the seven-time All-star center told China Daily in an exclusive interview on Wednesday in Beijing.

"I have not been tested. I have not played competitive basketball since the injury even in the training. I cannot answer if I will return to my best."

Yao took a break from his rehabilitation in the US to come back to China last Friday to prepare for his charity basketball game in Beijing.

Basketball star Yao Ming in a contemplative mood during his interview with China Daily on Wednesday at the Crowne Plaza Beijing Parkview Wuzhou.

He admits he is racing against time to get fit for the new NBA season, which starts in October.

"The intensity of my training is going up gradually because at least I feel good about my injury," he said. "But talk about recovering my form is nothing but nonsense and will only be realized if I can get through the next season smoothly. Then, you will see results after that season."

Yao is still battling the foot injury he picked up during the third game of the Houston Rockets' Western Conference semifinal series against the Los Angeles Lakers on May 8, 2009. Initially, the injury, a stress fracture to his left foot, turned out to be more serious than previously feared and Rockets team physician Tom Clanton, at the time, claimed it could have ended the 2.26m center's career.

【体坛英语资讯：Yao Ming fears he wont be bigger, better than ever】相关文章：

★ 体坛英语资讯：Yao for MVP already?

★ 体坛英语资讯：Guga says goodbye to tennis world

★ 体坛英语资讯：Figure skating pairs eager for first Olympic gold

★ 体坛英语资讯：Nalbandian tames Nadal again in Paris final

★ 体坛英语资讯：Kansas tops Memphis to clinch first NCAA title

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Hayden Panettiere stars in Got Milk campaign

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Witherspoon had panic attacks after divorce

★ 体坛英语资讯：All the NBA is a stage

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Matt Damon named sexiest man alive

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Kylie is new face of Tous jewellery