via Getty
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 19: Kim Clijsters of Belgium smiles during the mixed doubles match between John McEnroe of the United States and his partner Kim Clijsters of Belgium and Martina Navratilova of the United States and Jamie Murray of Great Britain during the Wimbledon No. 1 Court Celebration in support of the Wimbledon Foundation at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on May 19, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
via Getty
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 19: Kim Clijsters of Belgium smiles during the mixed doubles match between John McEnroe of the United States and his partner Kim Clijsters of Belgium and Martina Navratilova of the United States and Jamie Murray of Great Britain during the Wimbledon No. 1 Court Celebration in support of the Wimbledon Foundation at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on May 19, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
Continuing on the comeback road since her return to competitive tennis from retirement, four-time Grand Slam, Kim Clijsters, will feature in the star-studded draw for the upcoming Miami Open.
The organizers have granted the Belgian a wildcard to compete in the women’s main draw. Hence, she will make her first appearance at the event since 2012.
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Clijsters won the prestigious Miami Open in 2005 and 2010
Clijsters has happy memories of the prestigious calendar event as she won the championship twice in 2005 and 2010.
On her being granted a wildcard entry this year, the Belgian said, “The Miami Open was always a favorite stop on Tour for me. I have great memories and also had great results there. I am excited to be coming back to Miami.”
.@Clijsterskim is returning to Miami! The four-time Grand Slam champion has been granted a wildcard into this year's tournament. We’ll see you soon, Kim 👋 pic.twitter.com/AhJw5k1gQU
— Miami Open (@MiamiOpen) March 3, 2021
Tournament director and former player, James Blake, said he is very “excited” with the return of the Belgian.
Calling her “a tremendous player and an even better person”, the American said that it would, indeed, be a privilege for the Miami crowd to see someone who has been inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, in action.
Kim Clijsters returned to competitive tennis after a seven-year absence in 2020
Kim Clijsters was named as one of the ‘30 Legends of Women’s Tennis: Past, Present and Future’ and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in July 2017.
A three-time WTA Finals champion, Clijsters announced a comeback to tennis seven years into retirement and returned to Grand Slam action at last year’s US Open. However, her campaign ended early as she lost in the opening round to Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova.
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Showing that the old Clijsters was still alive in her, the Belgian took the opening set in the first-round clash, but lost the next two to bow out of the tournament.
via Imago
New York Empire vs Vegas Rollers from the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
Among the top stars entering the men’s and women’s draws at the event, this year are reigning Australian Open champions, Naomi Osaka, and Novak Djokovic.
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The event, which is staged at the Hard Rock Stadium, will open on March 22 and end on April 4.
Read More: Kim Clijsters to Miss Australian Open 2021, Announces Return Date
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