• WTA Tour

Cautious Clijsters to take care over 2012 schedule

ESPN staff
December 9, 2011
Kim Clijsters enjured a catalogue of injury setbacks in 2011 © PA Photos
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Kim Clijsters has vowed to listen to her body more after missing the latter half of the 2011 season through injury.

The former world No. 1 suffered an abdominal strain at the Rogers Cup in August which ruled her out of the defence of her US Open title. That setback came after missing much of the summer with a series of injuries to her ankle, shoulder and wrist.

And Clijsters, who has slipped to No. 13 in the world rankings after briefly occupying the No. 1 spot last season, believes it was because she tried to play too much, and is determined to take greater care over her scheduling.

"The start of 2011 was really good. But after that I made some decisions I no longer would make now," Clijsters told her official website. "After a physically and psychologically very strenuous Australian Open, the indoor tournament in Paris was the one event too much. Now, I'll be listening to my body much better."

Clijsters has confirmed she will kick off her season in Brisbane on January 1 before heading to Melbourne for the defence of her Australian Open crown.

"I will take things one tournament at a time, but above all I would like to improve my game. I have been working really hard at my service, because that often did not go well in the past year," said Clijsters, who beat world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki 6-2 7-6(5) in an exhibition match in Antwerp on Thursday.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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