A statement on her website said Clijsters had wanted to defend her title at the Paris tournament starting on February 7 but she had now decided she did not want to take any risks.

"If everything continues to develop favourably, Kim should make her return (in Antwerp) on February 15," the statement said.

Clijsters, 21, had a wrist operation in June and has not played since on the WTA Tour. She broke up with long-term boyfriend Lleyton Hewitt in October.