Kim Clijsters has resumed training again in an attempt to play in the Australian Open starting next week.

The world number two is doubtful for the Melbourne Grand Slam after seriously injuring her ankle playing for Belgium in last week's Hopman Cup in Perth.

She had hoped to resume playing at the Sydney International but was forced to pull out before her opening match after aggravating the problem in practice.

Clijsters stayed in Sydney to watch her fiance Lleyton Hewitt win the men's singles title on Saturday and has been practising on the outside courts.

Hewitt told a news conference on Saturday that Clijsters had been doing some light training but would not make a final decision on whether or not she will play the Australian Open until they arrive in Melbourne.

"It's going all right," Hewitt said. "She had a light hit yesterday but we're just taking it day by day."

Clijsters spent nearly a week on crutches after she first injured herself and said doctors had told her the ankle would never completely heal and may eventually require surgery.

The 20-year-old is one of the favourites to win the Australian Open after the withdrawal of last year's winner Serena Williams and former champions Jennifer Capriati, Monica Seles and Mary Pierce.

Clijsters is still chasing her first Grand Slam title after twice finishing runner-up at the French Open and once at the U.S. Open.

She came desperately close to making the final in Melbourne last year when she led Williams 5-1 in the final set before the wheels suddenly fell off.

It ranked as one of the most spectacular collapses in tennis history, but Clijsters refused to dwell on the loss, insisting it had helped her become a better player.

"I had a big chance of getting into the final last year but it's not something I regret. I think Serena was the better played at the time, but I think I've come back stronger," Clijsters said.