Kim Clijsters is currently ranked number two in the world. —File photo by AFP
Kim Clijsters is currently ranked number two in the world. —File photo by AFP

BRUSSELS: World number two Kim Clijsters is a major doubt for the French Open next month after injuring her ankle at her cousin’s wedding.

The Belgian, twice a finalist at Roland Garros, was already facing four weeks out due to a painful shoulder and wrist.

“Kim has injured her ankle. She won’t be able to compete for four to six weeks. Her participation in the French Open is no longer certain,” a statement said on her website (www.kimclijsters.be) on Sunday.

“At the wedding party of her cousin Tim, Kim injured her ankle severely. The consequences are rather dire. Kim’s ankle is now completely immobilised and she can not use her foot for a few days.”

The French Open, which starts in six weeks, is already without former world number one and 13-times grand slam champion Serena Williams after she also suffered serious injury off the court last July.

American Williams has been sidelined since cutting her foot on broken glass at a restaurant in Germany. She has had two operations on her foot and recently suffered a pulmonary embolism.

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