Clijsters set for return to the game

Former world No 1 will reveal schedule this week and plans to play at US Open

(GETTY IMAGES)

Kim Clijsters, who retired from tennis two years ago to have a baby, is poised to announce her comeback to the women's tour. The 25-year-old Belgian, a former world No 1 in singles and doubles, is expected to reveal later this week a schedule that will include plans to compete in this summer's US Open.

Clijsters, who gave birth to a baby girl last February after marrying the basketball player Brian Lynch, has been back in training recently and has already agreed to play World Team Tennis in the United States in July. She will also appear at Wimbledon in May alongside Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf and Tim Henman in an event to test the new roof on Centre Court.

Although Clijsters does not have a world ranking, she should have little trouble securing wild cards to play in tournaments. It is understood that her management team have already been in contact with organisers of the US Open. Clijsters has also been asking Lindsay Davenport, another mother, about how she combines motherhood with playing on the women's tour.

Following the retirements of Justine Henin and Martina Hingis, and Maria Sharapova's injury problems, the women's game would welcome the return of a player who was a crowd favourite around the world. Clijsters has won 34 singles titles, including the 2005 US Open, and reached the finals of the Australian and French Opens. She has played in two Wimbledon semi-finals.