Clijsters doubtful for Melbourne after new setback
Kim Clijsters admitted her participation at the Australian Open remains in serious doubt today after she withdrew from the adidas International in Sydney.
The 20-year-old Belgian injured her ankle in the Hopman Cup last week and has been battling to take her place in the draw here and defend the title she won in impressive fashion last season.
Clijsters was given a bye into the second round in Sydney and scheduled to begin her defence on Wednesday, but the ankle flared up after 20 minutes on the training court.
Concerned about jeopardising her future health, Clijsters will not risk it, either at the adidas International or, if it comes to it, the Australian Open in Melbourne next week.
“I have decided that I am not going to be able to go out there tomorrow and give 100%,” said the world number two.
“This is definitely not an easy decision. I have been feeling really keen to start playing a lot of matches here because you have to defend your title.
“It got a little bit worse this morning. It flared up a little and that is what scared me because I wasn’t even giving 100% out there.
“It’s tough and since it happened a lot of people have been telling me you shouldn’t wait if you want to be ready for Melbourne – which will definitely be in doubt still now.”
