Kim Clijsters has announced that she will begin her 2010 season with the Brisbane international.
Clijsters has always been popular down under and has been permanently dubbed “Aussie Kim” by the Melbourne crowds after her former engagement to home favourite Lleyton Hewitt.
She made the Australian Open final in 2004 losing to great rival Justine Henin but after her success in New York she will be one of the favourites to go one better. Her athleticism has always given her a big edge on the hard courts.
It will be the first time she’s competed in Brisbane and tournament director Steve Ayles is delighted to have her in the field.
"Kim is an extremely popular player with both fans and players and it will be great to see her competitive spirit come alive on the court. We are particularly excited to have her in the tournament after her unbelievable return to women's tennis at the US Open where she had stunning victories over both the Williams sisters," he said.
Clijsters is looking forward to the warm reception she will get. "Australia is a home away from home for me and I am thrilled to the coming back in January for the Brisbane International," she said. "I am also particularly keen to spend some time in and around Brisbane and soak up the beautiful surrounds with my daughter Jada and husband Brian who will be travelling with me."
