By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, August 21, 2020
"It's disappointing to have to withdraw, but after discussions with medical and my team I need a little more recovery time," Kim Clijsters said.
Photo credit: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships Facebook
Kim Clijsters has pulled the plug on the Western & Southern Open, but hopes to recharge in time for this month's US Open.
The former world No. 1 officially withdrew from this week's Western & Southern Open while continuing recovery from an abdominal injury she sustained playing for the New York Empire during the recent World TeamTennis season at the Greenbrier.
More: Western & Southern Open Draws Revealed
"It's disappointing to have to withdraw, but after discussions with medical and my team I need a little more recovery time," Clijsters said in a statement today.
Clijsters, who has been training in New York, said she remains in the USTA's safety bubble and aims to play the US Open.
The USTA will host the Western & Southern Open, traditionally played in Cincinnati, and the US Open in succession at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center with a combined $60 million prize money on the line.
The Western & Southern Open is contested August 19-28th with the US Open following August 31st-September 13th.
Fifteen years ago, Clijsters made history as the first woman to capture both the US Open Series and US Open titles in the same season when she won her first career Grand Slam crown at the Flushing Meadows major.
The Hall of Famer still plans to play the US Open.
The 37-year-old Clijsters was given US Open main-draw wild cards for both singles and doubles.
Clijsters, one of a handful of players in Open Era history to hold the world No. 1 ranking in singles and doubles simultaneously, is entered in the US Open doubles field with Hailey Baptiste.