EASTBOURNE, England (AP) Lleyton Hewitt retired from his opening match at Eastbourne on Tuesday, putting his Wimbledon participation in doubt.
The 30-year-old Australian aggravated an existing foot injury while losing to Philipp Kohlschreiber in the quarterfinals in Halle last week. He walked off the court Tuesday while trailing Olivier Rochus 6-2, 3-0.
Hewitt, the 2002 Wimbledon champion, said he would have intensive treatment on the injury in the hope of playing at the All England Club when the tournament begins on Monday.
I'd want it to be a lot better than it is today to be able to play Wimbledon,'' Hewitt said.It was touch and go whether I'd be able to play here anyway.
``So since then I've just been trying to get treatment and do all the right things. I've been talking with the doctors here. You know, it just hasn't quite improved as much as I would have liked by today, but I wanted to come out and try anyway.''
Kim Clijsters also is in doubt for Wimbledon after aggravating an ankle injury during a 7-6 (5), 6-3 loss to Romina Oprandi at the Unicef Open in the Netherlands.
The second-ranked Clijsters skidded to the net and stumbled on the first point of the second game and appeared tentative for the rest of the match, although she did not call for medical treatment.
Clijsters said she would return home to Belgium and seek medical advice before deciding whether to play at Wimbledon.
Hewitt has seen his world ranking slump to 130 after winning just six matches this season and failing to defend his title in Halle. After losing in the first round at Indian Wells in March, he was off the tour for three months following foot surgery, until returning in Halle.
I still feel like in another week I can, another five days or whatever, I feel like I can still get good treatment,'' he said.You know, with the right people behind me and have a couple easier days, as well, hopefully I can start getting a little bit better.''
SINGALONG SERENA: It started out as a joke to pass the time, but Serena Williams says she's planning to force Andy Murray to sing karaoke at Wimbledon.
During a day of incessant rain in England on Sunday at the Queen's club tournament, Murray asked his Twitter followers what the players could do to entertain the fans, suggesting ``Karaoke would be great!!?''
Serena, who was being kept off the practice court at Eastbourne, revealed she had a portable karaoke machine with her. She encouraged Murray to join her in a singing session.
``omg I LOVE karaoke!!! Let's do it on rain delays! What's your go to song?? I'm in!!!!!! Let's go! :)'' she tweeted.
And after winning her opening match at Eastbourne on Tuesday, Williams was still keen, promising: ``We'll do it at Wimbledon. I'll bring it and I'll force him to sing.''
Murray said his song of choice would be REM's Losing My Religion.'' Williams went forStraight Outta Compton'' by NWA.
It wouldn't be the first musical interlude for Wimbledon. In 1996, English singer Cliff Richard gave an impromptu performance on Centre Court during a rain delay. His backing singers were Martina Navratilova, Pam Shriver, Gigi Fernandez and Conchita Martinez.