Former world No 1 Kim Clijsters has been forced to delay her planned return to competitive tennis in January following a seven-year hiatus because of a knee injury.
The 36-year-old four-time singles Grand Slam champion in September announced plans of a surprise comeback ahead of the Australian Open in 2020.
“I’ve had to make the decision that I will not be able to compete in January,” Clijsters tweeted.
“I am undergoing rehab and treatment for a knee injury. It’s a setback but I’m determined as ever to get back to the game I love.”
Clijsters’ manager Bob Laes, cited by Belgian daily Het Nieuwsblad, said she “made a wrong move during a workout and felt pain” from an injury he described as a medial ligament tear.
She faces “six to eight weeks of rehabilitation” before she can resume intensive training, Laes added.
