Even as the resumption of the WTA Tour hangs in balance, Kim Clijsters is looking forward to her return to top-level tennis.
The four-time Grand Slam champion, who made her comeback in 2020, will be playing the World Team tennis, which begins at the Greenbrier resort, West Virginia on Sunday.
ALSO READ: ‘Partying like potatoes during a global pandemic’, Kyrgios remonstrates
“The most important lesson for me, is to just kind of trust the process,” the 37-year-old was quoted as saying by news agency Reuters. “It doesn’t mean because COVID happened that I’m not interested in playing more tennis.”
Clijsters announced she would be coming out of retirement, the second time, at the end of last season after a seven-year hiatus.
ALSO READ: Djokovic likens Adria Tour criticism to ‘witch-hunt’
A mother of three, Clijsters, made her comeback in February at the Dubai Open. She hasn’t been able to taste victory yet since returning to the tour, losing the opening round in Dubai to Garbine Muguruza and then going down to top Brit Johanna Konta in the first round in Monterrey, Mexico.
The WTA tour has been suspended since March due to Coronavirus, but is scheduled to return in August with the Palermo Open.
WIMBLEDON THROWBACK: Graf outlasts Sanchez-Vicario in classic duel
“There are some challenges and combining parenting at home and teaching the kids at home and still going to practice and things like that, so it was challenging but at the same time you get through that together.”
In the meantime, Clijsters will feature in the Billie Jean King-run WTT. The tournament, which will be played over three weeks, will allow a maximum of 500 fans at the 2,500-seat stadium. They have put into place health protocols, like mandatory temperature checks and wearing of masks.
ALSO READ: Atlanta event defying common sense?
The event will be closely watched as tennis’ return in front of spectators hasn’t quite gone to plan. At the Novak Djokovic-organised Adria Tour, for players, including the Serb himself, tested positive for Coronavirus forcing its cancellation. In the US, Frances Tiafoe tested positive for the virus on the first day of the All-American Team Cup last weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.
