By Daily Sports on September 13, 2019

Kim Clijsters is to make her tennis comeback at the age of 36 with a return to the WTA Tour in 2020.

The Belgian, who first retired in 2007 to start a family, says she has been “inspired” by other mothers such as Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka.

The ex-world number one returned in 2009 and won three more Grand Slams before her second retirement in 2012.

“Mothers are trying to compete at the highest level – that is the inspiration,” she said.

“I don’t really feel like I want to prove something. I think for me it’s the challenge.

“My goal right now is to be able to be fit enough to compete at the highest level and then if you get to that stage, let’s see if I can get to the second stage of a Grand Slam.

“I will continue to push myself each goal I set.”

Clijsters is targeting a return in January, but says she will remain flexible in her scheduling.

As a former world number one, Clijsters is eligible for unlimited wildcards at WTA tournaments. She will need to play three tournaments or earn 10 ranking points to re-establish a ranking.

She said not having to play a set number of tournaments a year has “made the choice a little bit easier”.

“Kim Clijsters ranks among the greats of the game and her return to the Tour is exciting news for the WTA family and tennis fans around the world,” said WTA chairman Steve Simon.

Clijsters won 41 WTA titles and spent 20 weeks as world number one in her two previous spells.

Her daughter Jada was born in 2008, followed by sons Jack in 2013 and Blake in 2016.

•Sourced from BBC. Photo shows Kim Clijsters

Source Daily Sports

Posted September 13, 2019

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