Clijsters Recovers From Injury To Play Roland Garros

848

The 27-year-old Belgian said on her  web site that she would take part in the Roland Garros tournament, the second Gram Slam event of the year.

The reigning US and Australian Open champion strained ligaments at her cousin’s wedding last month and was forced to pull out of Belgium’s Fed Cup semi final against Czech Republic but has now declared herself fit.

Clijsters confirmed she will play at Roland Garros with her ankle taped up. The tournament begins this Sunday (May 22).

“I am not totally without pain, but the strong tape round my ankle gives me sufficient security. It feels great to be back playing again – I really missed it,” she said. “The advantage is that I still have the spirit of the past Grand Slam tournaments. If I play well, I can win. Attitude is very important, even though the situation is physically very different.

“Everything is going well. I am hitting the ball well. I still feel a little bit of pain in the ankle, but I have a tight bandage on it and that helps me,” added Clijsters.

She has won back-to-back US Open titles in addition to her January triumph at Melbourne Park since coming out of retirement two years ago. Clijsters had initially ended her career in 2007 in order to raise her first child.