Clijsters to face a ‘tough road’ back

FORMER world No.1 Ana Ivanovic claims Kim Clijsters will find it hard to compete at the top level when the WTA Tour resumes following the coronavirus pandemic.

Belgian mother-of-three Clijsters surprised the tennis world when she announced she was making a second comeback this year.

The 36-year-old fourtimes grand slam champion failed to win a match in the two tournaments she played before the coronavirus pandemic forced the suspension of the season — losing to Garbine Muguruza in Dubai and Johanna Konta in Monterrey.

“I have been watching some of her matches and she has been striking the ball amazingly well, but I really hope she can get back to that level to play like she used to,” the 2008 French Open champion Ivanovic told Eurosport.

“Personally, I don’t think it’ll be easy after being out for so many years.”

Clijsters first retired in 2007, taking a break to have the first of her three children, but returned within 24 months to claim three of her four grand slams and return to world No.1 in 2011. Her latest comeback could prove more challenging.

“It’s amazing what she achieved,” said Ivanovic, who retired in 2016 age 29.

“I still respect her so much, it’s just difficult to imagine now after having three kids and being out for so long to make a comeback.

“Not because she’s not fit, but because your body just reacts differently. When you are out of competition you realise how much fine-tuning is necessary.”