Double Disappointment for King

Double disappointment for New Zealand squash star Joelle King. 

The world number five has played her last tournament of 2013, after picking up an Achilles injury.

King was due to play the presitigious Hong Kong Open next week, but has been forced to withdraw.  It comes on the back of news the World Open will not be held this year, with the WSA unable to secure a suitable venue.  There was some thought the Hong Kong event could also assume the World Open mantle, but tournament officials rejected the notion.

It's not the way King was hoping to finish 2013, having firmly established herself in the world's top five in recent months while getting within touching distance of fourth ranked Alison Waters from England.  The 25-year-old says she was tempted to make the trip to Hong Kong, but thought better of it in the end.

"The injury's not too bad - it's just precautionary really. If I had another week I would have been fine to go but I had to make the decision to let this one go and be ready for my next tournament in January."

King says it's doubly disappointing given there is no World Open to follow, although given her Achilles problem it may not be a bad thing.

She will now rest and recuperate before resuming training to return to the WSA Tour in January.