Hewitt and Clijsters reunited by injury

Lleyton Hewitt and Kim Clijsters, who were once engaged, are both rated doubtful to play at Wimbledon next week after aggravating long-standing injuries yesterday.

Hewitt, the 2002 champion, who has been dogged by continuing problems following foot surgery, was losing 6-2, 3-0 to Olivier Rochus at the Aegon International in Eastbourne when he retired. He said afterwards that he had been in constant pain from the foot, though he did not rule out making it to the start line at the All England Club next week.

Clijsters is also doubtful for the tournament after aggravating the ankle injury that kept her out for two months before the French Open. The world No 2, who first hurt her ankle while dancing at her cousin's wedding, will seek medical advice after suffering further problems yesterday during a 7-6, 6-3 defeat to Italy's Romina Oprandi in the second round at Den Bosch.

"It's the same ankle I injured earlier," she said. "I slipped in the first set and it started hurting. I took some medication on the court that helped with pain in my knee but not my ankle."

Clijsters said she would return home to Belgium and seek medical advice before deciding whether to play at Wimbledon. "It depends on results from the hospital," she added. The 82nd-ranked Oprandi was stunned at her victory. "There is no bigger thing in tennis," she said. "It was a miracle."