Date-Krumm targets tennis return at age 46

Former world No.4 Kimiko Date-Krumm is targeting a return to the court next year at the age of 46, having last featured in January's qualifying rounds of the Australian Open.

Japan's Date-Krumm, who turns 46 next week, has been plagued with injuries since making her comeback in 2008, after initially retiring in 1996, and is recovering from April knee surgery.

"I have been told it will take a year (to fully recover from the operation) and it's just a case of how much more or less time it will be than that," Date-Krumm told reporters in Tokyo.

"Everything has gone well up to this point and it has not put limitations on my daily life. As an athlete, you have to condition muscles and I want the injury to properly heal."

Date-Krumm has won eight WTA titles, the last in 2009, and has reached the semi-finals of three grand-slam tournaments.