Kim Clijsters ready to make comeback at World TeamTennis

The former world number one said her desire to be back on court has not diminished

Tennis: Ex-world number one Kim Clijsters announces surprise comeback

Kim Clijsters, who has been away from tennis for eight years, is determined to make her comeback even as the sport has been suspended since March this year because of the COVID-19 outbreak and there remains uncertainty over its resumption.

The former number one is among those headlining the World TeamTennis (WTT) which is scheduled to begin on Sunday at the Greenbrier resort in West Virginia.

Clijsters told reporters on Wednesday that she was more determined than ever and her desire to be back on court has not diminished.

“The most important lesson for me, is to just kind of trust the process. It doesn’t mean because COVID happened that I’m not interested in playing more tennis,” the Belgian said.

“There are some challenges and combining parenting at home and teaching the kids at home and still going to practice and things like that, so it was challenging but at the same time you get through that together,” added Clijsters who spent her time in New Jersey and Belgium during the suspension of the sport during the lockdown.

Apart from the four-time grand slam winner, 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens will also be at the World TeamTennis event. The event organisers have said that several precautions are in place to avoid the risk of contracting COVID-19. 

Players and staff will be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days in the US and undergo testing. They will also be subjected to temperature checks daily at the event.

No more than 500 spectators will be allowed inside the 2,500-seat stadium at the Greenbrier resort.

The competition comes just weeks after top players, including world number one Novak Djokovic, tested positive for COVID-19 after the Adria Tour. The Serb was heavily criticised for his decision to organise the exhibition event amid the pandemic.

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