Belgian tennis legend Kim Clijsters has shown she is ready for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships this week. The 36-year-old last played back in 2012 at the US Open, but is set to make a dramatic return to the sport in the UAE. The former World No 1 player posted a video on her Instagram account showing her practising on centre court ahead of her return to action thanks to a wild card entry. Clijsters shows little sign of losing any technique and expertise as she's seen serving and then performing a powerful double-handed backhand under Dubai's blue skies. She accompanied the video with the message: "First hit on Centre Court today @ddftennis #fortheloveofthegame". The first round will see her face Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands. She said last week that since announcing her comeback "there have been a few bumps but I’m looking forward to returning to the match court and what this next chapter brings". Her honours include four grand slam singles titles – the 2011 Australian Open and 2005, 2009 and 2010 US Open – and two doubles titles, the 2003 French Open and Wimbledon, as well as three WTA Finals singles titles. The championships runs from February 17 until the final on February 22. The women's line-up will feature 2019 Wimbledon champion Simona Halep, 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, defending Dubai champion Belinda Bencic and recent Brisbane winner Karolina Pliskova. Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer will feature in the ATP event which begins on February 24.
