Helen Crook's Wimbledon campaign ended with straight sets defeats in both the ladies' and mixed doubles.

The Basildon player lost out to Grand Slam veteran Martina Navratilova before another defeat in the mixed to the tournament's number three seeds on Friday.

Now Crook, 31, is planning to take a break from the circuit before deciding whether to have a crack at the Australian Open next January.

"I will be representing Essex at County Week next month and will then do a bit of coaching," Crook said.

"Then I will decide whether I will keep going to try and qualify for the Australian Open."

"I'm as fit as I have ever been and close to the top in my game, so I'm keen to capitalise on that."

Crook and new ladies doubles partner Anna Hawkins fell at the second round stage in SW19 when they lost 6-2 6-1 to America's Navratilova and Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova on court four on Friday.

The Lancashire-born player then teamed up with Oliver Freelove in the mixed doubles, where they crashed 6-3 6-2 to American Bob Bryan and Russia's Elena Likhovtseva on court six in the first round.

Published Monday, June 30, 2003

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