Twice-defending champion Kim Clijsters will not play the 2011 US Open which starts August 29. The Belgian hasn’t recovered from the stomach muscle injury which forced her out of the last week’s Rogers Cup. The 28-year-old needs time for rest and treatment and is planning to miss the rest of the season.
“Two weeks of rehab was not enough. Obviously I’m very disappointed. I trained very hard this summer and felt in a good shape to play,” said the three-time winner of the US Open.
Clijsters will now be focusing on 2012, says her official website.
The most important thing right now is that I should make a full recovery, so I will also drop the rest of the season. I’ll pick up training slowly and carefully and prepare for 2012, but without a specific time frame or pressure. I had two tournaments to go this autumn, but they are not worth the risk. I would not be able to get enough points to compete in the WTA Championship anyway… I am now focusing on 2012, on the Olympics. Who knows? This time I might make it through without any injuries and I might feel up for a last US Open.
(photo: © Neal Trousdale)
I am so sad 🙁 It’s unbelievable she can’t defend her title the third time. I miss Kim! I don’t have any words…
Hope 2012 will be a better year for our favorite-belgian. Even if the world is going to suck 😉
Go Kimi! You are the one!
is a really bad new! Fortunatly we have serena at this open!
Get well kim 🙂
it is wise on her part to skip the tournament keeping the wider picture in mind. Sports injury take time to heal and can relapse if not not properly healed. I wish her all the luck for the rest of the season.