Kim Clijsters announces return to 2012 Brisbane International Open – Tennis News
Kim Clijsters announced her return to the Brisbane International Open 2012, following a torn stomach muscle injury that kept her from defending her title at the US Open.
The Belgian will take part in the tournament which is held just a week before the first Grand Slam of the year and acts as a warm up tournament prior to the Australian Open. The tournament will be hosted at Queensland Tennis Centre, Australia from the 1st to the 8th of January.
Belgian star is currently ranked as world number ten as she was unable to play prior to the last Grand Slam; US Open because of an injury but she is much better and eagerly waiting for Brisbane.
The former world number one is looking forward to the event and in an exciting tone said, “I am really thrilled to be coming back to Brisbane in 2012, and the last time I was there I played extremely well and had some really tough matches. Australia has always been a home away from home for me and I am very comfortable there”.
A brief sweetheart to Aussie star and former world number one, Lleyton Hewitt, Clijsters enjoys the local support from the Australians in years to follow. She became a title holder at her debut performance at this tournament in 2010. The Belgian thrashed Lucie Safarova in the quarterfinal and got rid of Andrea Petkovic in the semi final to an en-route victory against Justine Henin during the final. In addition, the former ‘numero uno’ outshone Li Na in the clash of the trophy at the Australian Open this year and took home the crown along with, the hearts of many Australians.
Many famous players have confirmed their entries and Clijsters is expected to play against world class players such as Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic, current US Open champion Samantha Stosur, last but not the least, the thirteen time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams!
Tournament Director Cameron Pearson said, “Clijsters would be a welcomed addition to the Brisbane International, Kim is an extremely popular player with both fans and players alike and it will great to see her back on court in Brisbane this summer. As a past champion, Kim will add another exciting dimension to what is already a spectacular line-up attending the Brisbane International in 2012”.
Clijsters is not only famous on the court but also off the court and has achieved many wards. The most recent being in June 2011 when Time Magazine awarded her one of the "30 Legends of Women's Tennis: Past, Present and Future". The former world number one both in doubles and singles has won 41 WTA singles titles and 11 WTA doubles titles.
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