Belgium: Henin, Clijsters will miss Fed Cup against U.S. team

 

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) -Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters will not play for Belgium in its Fed Cup match against the United States in April.

Both second-ranked Henin and fourth-ranked Clijsters cited a busy schedule, the Belgian tennis federation officially announced on Monday. The first-round match takes place April 21-22 in Delray Beach, Fla.

Serena and Venus Williams have committed to play for the United States.

Belgium's team is led by Kirsten Flipkens, who is ranked 112th. Caroline Maes, ranked 229th, and teenagers Yanina Wickmayer and Tamaryn Hendler are also in the four-member squad.

Belgium reached the final of the Fed Cup last year, when it lost 3-2 to Italy. Clijsters did not play because of a wrist injury, while Henin withdrew with an injury during the final's decisive doubles.

Clijsters, who is in her final season on the tour, won the Sydney International this year and reached the semifinals of the Australian Open. Henin won the Dubai Open on Saturday.

Both announced their withdrawal on their Web sites earlier this month.

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