Kim Clijsters of Belgium has officially withdrawn as of Friday from the upcoming French Open because of a foot injury suffered during Fed Cup play last month. Though she has resumed hitting, despite her efforts to recover in time for the major tournament, the injury hasn’t fully healed and she has opted to skip the competition.
A CT scan today revealed the injury was healing, but fluid is still building up around her ankle and she has opted to miss the second grand slam of the year and end her clay-court season.
“I will continue my recovery to be totally up for the season on grass,” said Clijsters, who reached the French Open final in 2001 and 2003, on her official website.
“It’s really a shame to give up on Roland Garros. Paris is so close I always feel a little at home. And that’s where I played my first grand slam final. But the foot pain forces me to throw in the towel.”
The French Open takes place at Roland Garros from 23 May to 6 June. Clijsters will play at Eastbourne, beginning on 14 June, in preparation for Wimbledon.
Clijsters has never won the French Open, so missing the tournament this year after winning the US Open last year had to be a difficult decision. Perhaps we’ll see her back for a try at it next year.
The reigning US Open champion has been replaced in the main draw by Canada’s Stephanie Dubois, who was next on the list to be entered straight into the main draw of the women’s event without having to go through the qualifying. Not only does that mean she doesn’t have to win three matches to get there, there is also an automatic prize check of $19.132 even if Dubois loses in the first round. Who wouldn’t mind getting paid that much for losing?
Tournament officials at Roland Garros also announced on Friday that Sania Mirza, Urszula Radwanska, Anna-Lena Groenefeld, and Sabine Lisicki have also withdrawn.
They will be replaced by Katie O’Brien, Anne Keothavong, Ekateryna Bychkova, and Johanna Larsson.
