The mother of all comebacks

April 2010 | by Ross Hudson

Kim ClijstersKim Clijsters winning 'Comeback of the Year' at the 2010 Laureus Sports Awards was no real surprise. 

But the shock was the Belgium's sudden return to the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour in August 2009, after an absence of over two years, followed by clinching the 2009 US Open.

The photographs of the new Grand Slam champion on the Flushing Meadow Centre Court, with husband Brian Lynch and young daughter Jada, were among the most memorable sporting images of 2009.

The first time that Clijsters played at Eastbourne, back in 2005, she announced plans to retire at the end of the 2007 season.

"Anyone who knows me, knows I stick to these kind of decisions," declared Clijsters. "I won't be changing my mind."

However, the Belgium ace brought her retirement plans forward by quitting the WTA Tour just before the 2007 French Open aged 23. 

Kim Clijsters 2005 Eastbourne winnerAfter winning the Eastbourne title (pictured) on her first attempt in 2005, Clijsters claimed her maiden Grand Slam singles title at the 2005 US Open.

But back for Eastbourne 2006, she bowed out at the semi-final stage to compatriot Justine Henin. 

With Devonshire Park fans assuming that they would never get to see her silky skills ago, she became the first confirmed entrant for Eastbourne 2010 and her presence helps ticket sales.

Her initial WTA Tour career was impressive as she soon claimed the no1 world ranking by capturing 34 singles titles. Clijsters was also a member of the 2001 Federation Cup-winning Belgian team and became the first Belgian player to reach a Grand Slam final (beaten by Jennifer Capriati at the 2001 French Open).

But she was blighted by recurring injuries, including a lengthy lay-off in the second half of 2004 and beginning of 2005. 

Yet she bounced back to claim the 2005 US Open crown, which proved to be a popular victory in the eyes of the public and critics alike. 

And Clijsters was also famous for her on-off relationship with Australian tennis star Lleyton Hewitt. 

Although the relationship blossomed and the pair got engaged, they decided to go their separate ways in 2004.  

She was soon swept off her feet by Lynch, an American pro-basketball player with Antwerp Giants, and they married in July 2007. 

Kim ClijstersThe amicable Clijsters, from the Flemish region of Belgium, had been tipped as the player most likely to break the Grand Slam stranglehold of the Williams sisters. But it was compatriot Henin who was stealing her thunder.

Yet the way that Clijsters plays is arguably the best combination of phenomenal power-hitting and exceptional athleticism  - apart from the Williams sisters.

Such sporting prowess came naturally for the Belgium ace, with her father Leo a famous Belgium's soccer star and in the 1986 and 1990 FIFA World Cup squads while her mother Els was a leading gymnast. 

Life-changing events - her father passed away in January 2009 - led to a change of heart about leaving her tennis career in the past. 

"I don't think of it as a comeback, more a second career," she announced. "Top girls now play brilliant shots, hit very hard and flat and can dominate when they're playing well. But they can't change their games very much if things aren't going well, perhaps add topspin, slices or different angles."

Clijsters' game plans include the subtle differences in shotmaking and tactics to others on the WTA Tour, as she showed by stunning both Venus and Serena Williams en route to winning the 2009 US Open title. 

"She's a little crazy but in a good way!" Henin said. "I don't think there's anyone else who could achieve such a win after that absence. "

But Clijsters has often been accused of lacking mental toughness required in the big match situations. However, her game - and confidence - was constantly undermined by the versatility of Henin and the power of Russian ace Maria Sharapova during her first shot at being a tennis professional.

Kim ClijstersAnd her WTA Tour return has not been perfect, with the most notable defeat the 6-0 6-1 third round reversal to Russian Nadia Petrova at the 2010 Australian Open.

Clijsters immediately bounced back to win the 2010 Brisbane International crown against nemesis Henin, and donated her prize money to Brisbane's Royal Children's Hospital.

Renowned for a bubbly and down-to-earth personality, she tends to go the extra mile to help promote the sport. 

Whether the twice Wimbledon singles semi-finalist will be back to her best - both physically and mentally - by the time she plays Eastbourne remains to be seen. But on her day, Clijsters is a tough little cookie who is guaranteed to be a genuine crowd-pleaser.

"Eastbourne's one of my favourite events," confessed Clijsters. "I won it in 2005 so I can't wait to challenge for the title again."

Eastbourne's one of my favourite events ... I can't wait to challenge for the title again

- Kim Clijsters