Kim Clijsters has pulled out of next month's Indian Wells WTA tournament in California because of an injured left ankle, the Belgian former World No 1 said on Tuesday.
The elite March 5-18 event in the California desert, which attracts most of the leading players in the world, would have marked Clijsters's third tournament of the year.
"I'm very disappointed," Clijsters said in a statement. "Indian Wells has been a very special tournament for me, winning in 2003 and again in 2005 when I returned from injury.
"I have great memories of Indian Wells and have always enjoyed the fan support there. I wish the tournament a great success this year."
As defending champion, she reached the semi-finals of last month's Australian Open where she was beaten 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 by Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.
Clijsters, a four-times Grand Slam singles champion, has confirmed 2012 will be her last on the WTA tour and she has spoken longingly of winning a medal at the London Olympics.
The 28-year-old, whose world ranking has slipped to 30th, has already retired once, married, become a mother and notched up 41 tour wins.
