Clijsters out of Wimbledon

Tennis: Kim Clijsters has been forced to withdraw from Wimbledon following tests on an ankle injury

Tennis:Kim Clijsters has been forced to withdraw from Wimbledon following tests on an ankle injury. The 28-year-old US Open and Australian Open champion, who initially picked up the injury while dancing at a wedding, suffered a recurrence of the problem when playing at the Unicef Open in the Netherlands this week.

"I'm very, very disappointed to have to withdraw from Wimbledon," Clijsters said. "At this moment I feel frustrated that it has to happen now before one of my favourite tournaments.

"I've always enjoyed being a part of the Wimbledon atmosphere but I have no other choice now but to rest, recover and to not play tennis for a few weeks."

Following the second-seeded Belgian's announcement, the players below her all move up a place, with Tsvetana Pironkova coming in at number 32.

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With world number one Caroline Wozniacki given top billing, Vera Zvonareva is the new second seed, Li Na third, Victoria Azarenka fourth and former winner Maria Sharapova fifth.

Meanwhile, Sam Querrey and Benjamin Becker, both unseeded, have pulled out of the men's singles owing to elbow injuries.

Their places in Friday's draw will be taken by 'lucky losers' from the final round of qualifying.