The upcoming return of Kim Clijsters is one that has brought excitement to the women’s tour, but former tennis star Steffi Graf believes that it could be ‘very difficult.’
36-year-old Clijsters recently announced that she is planning to return to the tour during the early part of next year. Ending what has been a seven-year retirement dating back to the 2012 US Open. The Belgian, who has three children, said she was inspired to return by fellow mothers Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka.
“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.” Said Clijsters.
“I will continue to push myself each goal I set.”
Reacting to Clijsters’ decision, Graf is sticking to the cautious side regarding how much damage she could potentially do to the WTA Tour. The two have played a competitive match against each other once before. That was at the 1999 Wimbledon Championships, where Graf prevailed 6-2, 6-2. It was at that tournament where Clijsters made her grand slam debut.
“I think that it will be fun to see. I don’t know. But I think for her to make the decision that she wants to come back she must believe that — I mean obviously I don’t know what her goal is, but I think if you’ve been at the top the way she has been — and she has come back once before, so she knows what it takes.” Graf told reporters at the WTA Elite Trophy in China.
It is not the first time the former world No.1 has staged a comeback. She initially retired from the sport in May 2007 to start a family before returning to action two years later. She won three out of her four major titles after the mini-hiatus.
“I would assume that she believes that she is capable of it and it will be fun for all of us to watch and see how she will be able to.” Graf commented.
“Being a few years away from the sport, it’s very difficult, and she’s got family and kids, but we see it out there happening a few times now. So it will be a big challenge, but she seems like she’s looking forward to it.”
Clijsters will be officially allowed to play in tournaments from December 30th, according to the International Tennis Federation. So far in her career, she has won 41 WTA titles and has spent 20 weeks as world No.1.
It is yet to be confirmed where she will play her first tournament.
