Ivanovic: Returning Clijsters will struggle to reach same level

News24
04 Jun 2020, 14:42 GMT+10

Kim Clijsters is not going to have it all her own way against the best the WTA has to offer, according to former world number on Ana Ivanovic.

Four-time Grand Slam winner and mother-of-three Clijsters announced her second comeback at the end of 2019 and she took the first steps to making a successful return earlier in the year as she competed in Dubai and Monterrey.

However, she lost both her opening match as she went down against Garbine Muguruza in the Middle East while Johanna Konta accounted for her exit in Mexico and the enforced break has put the brakes on her comeback.

Although delighted to see the 36-year-old Clijsters back on the WTA Tour, Ivanovic concedes it will be difficult to hit the top again.

"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 former French Open champion said on Eurosport's Hanging out with Babsi.

"Personally, I don't think it'll be easy after being out for so many years.

"It's amazing what she achieved. 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 and she's been out a while."

- TEAMtalk media

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