Clijsters Out of Australia Open

Kim Clijsters has pulled out of next month's centenary Australian Open due to her chronic wrist injury.

The Belgian, who has been troubled by the problem for most of the year, consulted doctors and physiotherapists before reaching the decision.

Clijsters has played in only one major in the last 12 months - the Australian Open - where she lost the final to her compatriot Justine Henin-Hardenne. In all she has managed only 22 matches during the season, 20 of which were victories.

Meanwhile organisers of Wimbledon have salted away £2m to cover rain disruptions after the cost of insuring themselves against the British weather became too steep.

A Championships Ticket Refunds Reserve has been set up by the Lawn Tennis Association which will be used to refund spectators who see less than an hour's play due to poor weather at the All England Club.

Wimbledon is a major money-spinner for the LTA. Last year the governing body received £26.84m from the tournament.

However, organisers took a major hit in the pocket at this year's event as two days were washed out and they were not covered by insurance for this pay-out as they had stopped insuring against the weather two years ago.