Clijsters' future in jeopardy
AFP, Hasselt
The future of former world number one Kim Clijsters looked in the balance Monday after she was ruled out of action until 2005 after aggravating a wrist injury in the Belgian Open here at the weekend. Playing in her first competition after five months out after tearing her wrist tendons and undergoing surgery, Clijsters was forced to retire in Saturday's semifinals when trailing 4-6, 2-2 to Russian Elena Bovina. Initial reports suggested the injury was not as serious as the problem which interrupted her season, but tournament doctor Bruno Willems was pessimistic. "This injury could mean the end of her career," Willems told Belgium's De Morgen newspaper on Monday. "I hope she comes back, but I'm pessimistic." Her website said that a scan had revealed a new injury in the left wrist, close to the old injury, with a brace and inflammatory drugs being used to solve the problem. She is set to undergo more tests this week. Clijsters said: "I hope I don't have to be operated on again." "It's not yet clear what has happened," said her coach Marc Dehous. "Her tendon (which was repaired in surgery on June 12) might possibly be torn again." "During the two previous matches Kim wasn't hundered by the injury at all, but she felt something was wrong while she returned a serve of Bovina. It might be that Kim won't be playing any more this year." Clijsters reached number one in August 2003 without winning a major title, having lost in the finals of four Grand Slams. She will marry Australian tennis star Lleyton Hewitt next February.
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