Former world no. 1 Kim Clijsters who once again came out of retirement, a second time in February 2020, has been given a wild card to play in the Miami Open tournament. The news has been confirmed by the organizers.
Clijsters has been so far been eluded by a victory ever since she came out of retirement.
Kim Clijsters’ appearance at the March 22-April 4 Miami Open will be her first competition since losing in the opening round of the U.S. Open last September.
“The Miami Open was always a favourite stop on tour for me,” Clijsters, who won the event in 2005 and 2010, said in a news release.
“I have great memories and also had great results there. I’m excited to be coming back to Miami.”
37-year-old Belgian tennis star was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2017 after having captured 41 singles titles, including four Grand Slams.
Clijsters first bid farewell to tennis in 2007, taking a break to have the first of her three children, but returned to the sport in 2009 and, in only her third tournament back, won the U.S Open as an unseeded wild card entry.
Clijsters clinched another U.S. Open in 2010, which was followed by an Australian Open title the following season before retiring again in 2012.
“We are very excited to have Kim returning to Miami,” said Miami Open Tournament Director James Blake.
“She is a tremendous player and an even better person. Plus, it’s not often you get the opportunity to see someone who has been inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame compete at an event of this level.”
