By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday January 4, 2020
Kim Clijsters still plans to continue her comeback in 2021, but the Belgian will not be travelling to the 2021 Australian Open.
This statement comes from the Clijsters’ camp, according to Filip Dewulf, tennis journalist (translated): “We confirm that Kim will not start her season at the Australian Open. Kim will continue her training and a program will be communicated as soon as there is one.”
There is still a wild card available at the Australian Open, but it appears that the 37-year-old Belgian does not want to take the time to quarantine for 2-3 weeks prior to the Australian Open, away from her family. Since she is not currently in the Abu Dhabi draw, Clijsters may not feel she is in shape for Grand Slam tennis.
With the WTA calendar still a work in progress after the Australian summer, it isn’t yet clear where Clijsters will begin to play again. The Belgian started her season at Dubai in 2020, and played a total of three matches, losing her opener at Dubai and as well as Monterrey and the US Open.
The former World No.1 and four-time major champion is currently ranked 1,031 in the world.