Players say Clijsters has been an inspiration

Now 36 and a mother of three, Clijsters is making her second comeback and has chosen the WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships as the stage for her return.

Fellow women players welcomed Kim Clijsters' decision to return from retirement and said that the former world No.1 has been an inspiration to all of them.
Now 36 and a mother of three, Clijsters is making her second comeback and has chosen the WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships as the stage for her return.
And the players, who will compete this week at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, were delighted to have the four-time Grand Slam champion back.
World No.2 Simona Halep, who lost to her in the Brisbane International in 2012, when she had first made a comeback, had the unique opportunity of a practice session with Clijsters.
"I was nervous," Halep revealed on seeking the Belgian across the court.
"I told my coach that I'm nervous to practice against her, with her actually. We played five or six years ago, a tournament in Brisbane. It was different because I was a different player, different person. Every time you can learn from the big champions, and the fact she's coming back, it's a big thing for our sport," added the Romanian.
Having witnessed it first hand, Halep reported that Clijsters would represent a threat this week. "It was good. Actually it was good. She's playing really well," the top seed said of Clijsters' training level.
And she added that Clijsters' return is an inspiration to this generation.
"It was impressive after she gave birth to her daughter and she came back and won a Grand Slam. She's a huge champion. I'm sure that she knows how to deal with this comeback again. Having three kids, I think it's different, you see life differently. It's an inspiration for all of us," said the 2015 Dubai winner.
World No.3 Karolina Pliskova said it makes for an amazing story.
"I think it's a great story. For sure she can do well. It's amazing. If not, I think she's going to try more," said Pliskova.
"For sure she didn't play for the last couple years so it's going to be difficult. You always need to have some matches under your belt just to feel better and confident. She was a great player. I think you cannot really forget how to play tennis," the Czech added.
Meanwhile, newly-crowned Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, like Halep, had an opportunity to bond with the mother of three.
"Actually we chatted yesterday (Saturday). The camel rides and everything. I did it, she didn't do it. I told her I'm really excited that you're coming back, I think it's great, wished her all the best of luck for all the tournaments she's going to be playing," said Kenin.
World No.4 Elina Svitolina had hoped to play against her.
"Actually I was hoping I could play her this week. Hopefully we'll see many more of her matches. I really loved watching her when I was little. The movement that she was doing on the court was something unbelievable. When I was watching her, I tried to copy her a little bit," revealed Svitolina.
Defending Dubai champion Belinda Bencic fondly remembers Clijsters doing her famous splits.
"I called her the player that does the splits. I'm really excited to see her playing. I'm really curious how it's going to be," said Bencic.
james@khaleejtimes.com