Kim Clijsters withdraws from Wimbledon over foot injury – Tennis News
To the dismay of thousands of tennis fans, the world number two, Kim Clijsters of Belgium, pulled out of Wimbledon due to a persistent foot injury. Seeded as number two in the Grand Slam tournament, Clijsters announced her withdrawal
on Wednesday, stating that her physical condition does not permit her to take part in Wimbledon, which is about to start from the 20th of June.
Winner of the Australian Open this year, Clijsters got her right foot injured during her UNICEF Open campaign in Netherlands on Tuesday and the severity of the wound forced her to withdraw from the third Grand Slam tournament of
the running year.
“At this moment I feel frustrated that it has to happen now before one of my favourite tournaments,” Clijsters expressed in the press release on Wednesday, “I’ve always enjoyed being a part of the Wimbledon atmosphere but I have
no other choice now but to rest, recover and to not play tennis for a few weeks.”
The Belgian first got her right ankle twisted two months ago while she was dancing at her cousin’s wedding but recovered soon to take part in the Roland Garros. She was ousted in the second round of the French Open and was hopeful
of putting up a far better performance at Wimbledon, before she injured her ankle in the contest against Romina Oparandi to suffer a 6-7(5), 3-6, defeat in the second round of the UNICEF Open.
28-year-old Clijsters has been battling with a series of injuries right from the beginning of the current year and was using antibiotics with regularity to get her fitness back. She clinched her first ever Australian Open title
in January but her physical condition and form has not been consistent since then.
Clijsters has failed to win a WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) singles title after her Australian Open triumph, missing a couple of tournaments due to injuries though she has successfully retained the world number two spot.
“In about a month, Kim will resume training and start rebuilding,” Clijsters’ management company expressed in a statement. “She wants to prepare the best way possible for the U.S. tour later this summer, with the U.S. Open as the
main goal.”
With Clijsters pulling out of the tournament, the players’ field at Wimbledon is left wide open for other top class tennis stars. The World number one, Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, is yet to win a Grand Slam title in her career
and this could be her chance, as a strong contender like Clijsters has withdrawn from the tournament.
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