London, Jun 16: This year's Wimbledon, escpecially the women's singles is set to lose some sheen after, Kim Clijsters, the reigning US Open and Australian Open champions, announced her decision to skip the event.

Clijsters has pulled out due to a recurrence of the ankle problem, that has dogged her for the last few weeks.

In a statement, Clijsters said, "I'm very, very disappointed to have to withdraw from Wimbledon after injuring my foot again at the tournament in s'Hertogenbosch. At this moment I feel frustrated that it has to happen now before one of my favourite tournaments."

And added, "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."

The Belgian was the second seed for the tournament, which is likely to see the comeback of the Williams sisters - Serena and Venus after a long injury-enforced hiatus. Her absence will elevate Vera Zvonareva, the Wimbledon 2010 runners-up to the second seed. China's Li Na , Belarus' Victoria Azarenka and Russia's Maria Sharapova will be the third, fourth and fifth seed respectively.

Clijsters, who has never won an Wimbledon title, despite a glorious career underwent more tests on the ankle-injury and scans showed that it will need some rest to heal properly.

In the wake of Serena Williams' comeback, there was a growing anticipation of a match between the duo in the grass-courts of Wimbledon, making it the ultimate battle in contemporary women's tennis. However, it might have to wait a bit more.

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