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28 March 2024

Comeback mum wants to be No1

Kim Clijsters (SUPPLIED)

Published
By Reuters

Comeback mum Kim Clijsters said she was capable of returning to the top of the world rankings after lifting the Sony Ericsson Open title yesterday.

Clijsters crushed an out-of-sorts Venus Williams 6-2 6-1 at Key Biscayne to claim her second title of the year and will move into the top 10 when the rankings are published next week.

Her route to the final included victories over last year's winner Victoria Azarenka, ranked seventh in the world, Australian Samantha Stosur, the number 10, and fellow Belgian Justine Henin.

The blonde Clijsters, who crowned an excellent comeback year with her second US Open title in 2009, said that despite a limited schedule, due to her desire to balance playing with motherhood, she could get back to the top spot she occupied in 2003.

"If I do well at the tournaments I play I think number one is maybe possible. It's just it's not my main goal," she told reporters.

The Belgian said her practice sessions and routine had become more focused since her comeback – her daughter Jada watched her final win from the stands – and that she was getting rewarded for her new approach.

"When you're 16 or 17 you're like, 'Hey, let me play every week', because it's that adrenaline that motivates you and keeps you going," said Clijsters.