Kim Clijsters is out of the Western & Southern Open which begins on Saturday in New York with an abdominal injury, it has been announced.
Clijsters was
set to take on Top Seed Open champion,
Jennifer Brady in one of the ties of the round but now that will not take place.
As a result Jennifer Brady will face a Qualifier/Lucky Loser; which will be decided later on Friday; before a potential second round tie against Alison Riske or Amanda Anisimova.
In a statement from the former champion, she has said that the aim is still the US Open and as a result, she will remain in the bubble.
"I'm grateful to Western & Southern Open for the opportunity to play the tournament once again. I have great memories from playing in Cincinnati, and was looking forward to being a part of the event this year. It's disappointing to have to withdraw after discussions with medical and my team, I need a little more recovery time."
"I'm grateful to be able to stay in the bubble and continue to prepare with my team here at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center."
This is an injury which kept her out of part of the World Team Tennis towards the end and it seems just a bridge too far at the moment for the former World No.1.