Clijsters Withdraws and Serena in as Women’s Side of Wimbledon Takes Shape
Belgium’s Kim Clijsters, the number two player in the world, has been forced to withdraw from Wimbledon 2011 due to a right foot injury. At the UNICEF Open in the Netherlands, Clijsters stumbled and injured her foot while moving to the net in her match against Romina Oprandi. She did not call for treatment but appeared to be in discomfort for the remainder of the encounter and lost 7-6 (5), 6-3.
This year’s Australian Open winner had already hurt her ankle while dancing at her cousin’s wedding in April this year, but she indicated that the injuries were not related. In her statement, Kim said, “I have no other choice now but to rest, recover and to not play tennis for a few weeks.” Clijsters will be sorely missed by many fans after being considered a favorite to take home the Championship trophy this year.
It should come as no surprise that two-time defending champion, Serena Williams is seeded number seven in this year’s Wimbledon draw. Williams has won 13 Grand Slam titles, of which four have come on the grass courts of Wimbledon. However, Williams has not seen tennis competition since last year’s Wimbledon. This comes after two foot operations due to stepping on broken glass and Williams was also faced with a life-threatening pulmonary embolism. The four-time Wimbledon champion returned to the courts at last week’s Eastbourne tournament where she fell to the top seed, Vera Zvonareva in the second round, 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-5.
Despite her absence, Williams indicated that she has every intention of being successful on the grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis Club. “I’m going to be in there fighting for every point and for everything, it doesn’t matter where I’m seeded.” As one of the favorites to hoist this year’s crown, Williams will have the hopes of her nation on her shoulders while she fights to win her third consecutive Wimbledon title.
