Share

Serena's comeback won't be easy - Clijsters

Singapore - Serena Williams will face a difficult path ahead if she attempts to return to tennis after having a baby, Kim Clijsters has warned.

Clijsters completed the 'Mother of all Comebacks' when she won the US Open in 2009, just 18 months after giving birth to her first child.

The Belgian enjoyed her best days in tennis after becoming a mother, as she won three of her four Grand Slam titles before retiring at 29.

But Williams' situation is unique, and the 23-time Grand Slam winner will have to pick her way through some tough challenges if she comes back to the tour, Clijsters told AFP.

"Every player is different, every pregnancy is different, every delivery is different so it's really hard to comment on how quickly she'll be able to bounce back," she said in a phone interview in her role as ambassador for the WTA Finals, which take place in Singapore in October.

"Tennis-wise, she won 23 Grand Slams before she went to have her baby. I (had) won one, so I think she has that part completely covered, no problem with the Grand Slams.

"But you have to find your way, especially as a first-time mother. I had a little bit of help too, my husband was able to travel with me. I wouldn't be able to do it if my family wasn't there.

"So it also depends on the situation and on how they see themselves as a mother and athlete. And I'm sure there'll be challenges ahead."

Williams, who was pregnant when she won the Australian Open in January - without dropping a set - has strongly hinted that she intends to return to tennis next year.

She could give birth during the US Open, which starts on August 28, after revealing her pregnancy in April when she accidentally posted a picture captioned "20 weeks" on Snapchat.

Victoria Azarenka, the two-time Australian Open champion and former world number one, returned in June after having a baby late last year, and reached the last 16 at Wimbledon in July.

While Azarenka is 28, and Clijsters was just 26 when she ended her two-year career break, Williams will turn 36 next month.

But the American has made a habit of pushing the sport's boundaries and she is likely to be motivated by the goal of surpassing Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 major victories.

Clijsters said Maria Sharapova, the five-time Grand Slam winner, also faced a difficult comeback - but for very different reasons.

Sharapova, 30, has suffered injuries since returning from a 15-month doping ban in April, and Clijsters said mental pressures were likely to be weighing heavily on the Russian.

"No matter how hard you train, when you come into a match, the level of intensity, the focus, the added pressure that's put on it, has an effect on your body as well," she said.

"It's normal. I've been in this situation too where I feel like I've trained very, very hard and practised a lot harder than any situation you would get to in a match, but then when you add the mental side of it all, then it becomes hard," added Clijsters.

"I'm sure she's had to deal with a lot of stuff mentally in the last year or so. And it'll all come back out on court, whether you like it or not."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2246 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE