Kim Clijsters, four-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one, announced her return to tennis at 36 years old. In a heartfelt video posted on Twitter, Clijsters shared her thoughts on balancing her role as a mother of three with her passion for professional tennis.
"I've been a stay-at-home mom for seven years, and I love it," Clijsters said. "But I also miss being a professional tennis player. So, what if I try to do both?"
Clijsters last competed at the U.S. Open in 2012 at the age of 29. After her retirement, she was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame as a member of the 2017 class. The upcoming comeback will mark her second return to the sport, following a successful comeback in 2009 when she won three of her four Grand Slam titles – the U.S. Open 2009 and 2010, as well as the Australian Open 2011.
"While I have a lot of work ahead in the next four months, my main motivation is the personal challenge – both physically and mentally," Clijsters said in a press release. "At 36, I still feel young enough to give it another shot, and to see how I fare against all the inspiring athletes and mothers who are competing."
Clijsters began her professional tennis career in 1999 at the age of 15, winning her first Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open in 2005. She retired in 2008 to marry Brian Lynch and welcome their first child, Jada, in 2008. She later had two sons, Jack (born 2013) and Blake (born 2016).
Steve Simon, WTA Chairman and CEO, expressed his excitement about Clijsters' return in a statement: "Kim Clijsters is one of the greats of the game, and her return to the tour is an important step for the WTA. The enthusiasm for her family and tennis fans around the world is palpable." Clijsters has 41 career singles titles and 11 career doubles titles, while as the former world number one and top Grand Slam champion, she is entitled to unlimited wildcards.
[1] Associated Press, "Kim Clijsters announces return to tennis at 36," 2021, .
[2] BBC Sport, "Kim Clijsters: Four-time Grand Slam champion returns to tennis," 2021, .
As Clijsters prepares for her return to professional tennis at the age of 36, she will likely draw upon the lessons she learned from her previous comebacks and the balance between family life and competitive success.
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