The greatest comebacks

LESTER PIGGOTT

Jockey Lester Piggott announced his retirement in 1985, having ridden more than 4,000 winners. The 11-time champion jockey was jailed two years later for tax fraud, but returned to racing in breathtaking fashion in 1990 as he won the Breeders’ Cup Mile on Royal Academy aged 55. Piggott also rode Rodrigo de Triano to victory in the 2,000 Guineas in 1992.

NIKI LAUDA

Austrian Formula One driver Niki Lauda returned to racing just 42 days after suffering serious burns in a crash at the German Grand Prix in 1976. He claimed a second world title with Ferrari in 1977 before retiring from the sport in 1979.

MICHAEL JORDAN

Widely regarded as the NBA’S greatest of all time, Michael Jordan hung up his sneakers in 1993 to give minor league baseball a try, but returned to the Chicago Bulls two years later to pick up where he left off. He led the Bulls to three straight titles. Unfortunately, his second comeback with the Washington Wizards in 2001 did not prove as successful. Jordan played his final NBA game on 16 April, 2003.

MUHAMMAD ALI

Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee – Ali’s place among the pantheon of boxing greats is undisputed. After refusing to join the US army in 1966, Ali was effectively exiled from the sport for four years. Although he suffered the first defeat of his career in 1971 in the “Fight of the Century” against Joe Frazier, Ali pulled off a marvellous victory three years later. He wasn’t given much hope, but scored an eighth-round knockout against George Foreman to reclaim the world heavyweight crown.

KIM CLIJSTERS

A string of injuries forced Kim Clijsters to retire from tennis in 2007. She had a baby a year later before announcing her comeback in 2009. She won her second US Open title in just her third tournament back and won it again in 2010. She added the Australian Open title in 2011 and regained her world No 1 ranking later that year. Clijsters retired for a second time in 2012.