Kim Clijsters' Australian Open preparations took a knock today when the world number two was forced to hobble away from her Hopman Cup match against Alicia Molik.
Her retirement while leading 6-3 6-7 3-2 has cast a shadow over her plans for the opening grand slam of the year later this month.
The Belgian was forced to quit after she appeared to injure her Achilles during the match at the ITF mixed team competition.
At the changeover while leading 3-2 in the third set, Clijsters had her left ankle strapped and looked in pain as she put weight on it.
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Moving gingerly in the next game, she managed just two more points before hobbling to the net to tell her opponent she could not continue. Clijsters left the court immediately.