Kournikova still struggling

Injury has ruined Kournikova's season

Anna Kournikova will not return to the WTA Tour before mid-August and may miss the US Open because of a persistent back injury.

The Russian has told organisers of events over the next two weeks at Palo Alto and San Diego that she will not take up wild cards, her agent Phil Depicciotto said.

"She won't play the Canadian Open in Toronto [starting on 11 August] but, if she's feeling better, may ask for a wild card into New Haven, which starts the week before the US Open."

Kournikova, 22, has a chronic sprain of the lumbar spine, a condition which is inoperable.

Depicciotto said: "Anna is unable to play a consistent tour schedule with her back the way it is now.

"And unless there is a marked improvement, her schedule will remain uncertain."

Kournikova is planning to get back on court this week, playing doubles and mixed doubles at a World TeamTennis exhibition event in Pennsylvania.

Depicciotto added: "After this week, she'll know a lot better how she feels."

Since injuring her back at the Australian Open in January, Kournikova has only played a handful of tournaments. She last competed at a challenger tour event in Charlottesville in May.

The US Open begins on 25 August.