December 9, 2011 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg
Kim Clijsters of Australia has made a quick successful return to tennis after four months of non-play by defeating first-ranked Caroline Wozniacki 6-2, 7-6 in an exhibition match.
The match was played at the Antwerp Sports Palace in front of approximately 10,000 fans where Clijsters showed she is has completely recovered from her stomach muscle injury. She now will head to Australia to defend her title from last year. "So far, and today, everything felt really great. Now I am good to get on the plane and fly to Australia," said Clijsters.
She now plans to play in the Brisbane International prior to Melbourne to add to her four majors. This exhibition match proved she had some very dominating strokes against the top-ranked Wozniacki. Clijsters had regained her number one ranking in February before attaining a stomach injury sidelining both her and her ranking.
"It’s been a year of many more downs than ups," said Clijsters. She is now 28 and hopes to show her energy one last time saying she has found other alternatives to getting fitter while resting her stomach muscles.
