Sidelined Clijsters could lose her number one ranking

The Belgian, 22, who was beaten by Amelie Mauresmo in the final of last week's Diamond Games, first injured the ankle at the Australian Open.

She now hopes to be back in time for the Miami Open on 22 March.

Mauresmo, of France, will overtake Clijsters in the rankings if she wins this week's million-dollar Dubai Open.

"I re-aggravated the right ankle that I injured in Australia this past week, and now require some time off to get back to 100%," Clijsters said in a statement.

"It would have been nice to have defended my title in Indian Wells as it has always been one of my favourite tournaments."