<p>MIAMI — Four-time Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters withdrew Sunday from upcoming tournaments in Miami and Charleston, a setback in her comeback following right knee surgery and a bout with COVID-19.</p>
<p>Clijsters’ return to the WTA Tour in 2020 after a seven-year hiatus was interrupted by the pandemic. She underwent knee surgery in October and came down with a mild case of the virus in January.</p>
<p>“I’ve had an intensive few weeks of training,” Clijsters, 37, said on <a href="https://twitter.com/Clijsterskim/status/1371082745997316097?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet">Twitter</a>. “Unfortunately I am not where I need to be, especially if I want to compete with the best. I’m not ready to quit. I’m going to keep pushing and see what’s possible.”</p>
<p>Clijsters said she plans to undergo three to six weeks of pain management treatment and then make decisions regarding her schedule.</p>
<p>The Miami Open begins March 23, and the Charleston tournament starts on April 5.</p>
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<p>More AP tennis: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tennis">https://apnews.com/hub/tennis</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/AP_Sports">https://twitter.com/AP_Sports</a></p>
