BRUSSELS, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Kim Clijsters said Wednesday she will not defend her title next month at the Pacific Life Open at Indian Wells, Calif.
Clijsters announced on her Web site that she has withdrawn after aggravating a lingering injury to her right ankle Sunday while playing Amelie Mauresmo in the final at the Diamond Games in Antwerp, Belgium.
"In close consultation with the medical team, I decided to have period of rest for the next three weeks, which is really necessary to get rid of all the tiny physical problems. I don't want to go over the issue again and again, I just want to be injury free. So no tennis for a while, but even a more intensive treatment and physiotherapy."
Clijsters, the top-ranked women's tennis player in the world, rolled the ankle while trailing in the third set against world No. 2 Mauresmo and had to retire from the match.
