Ex-world number one Clijsters announces surprise comeback

Belgium's former world number one Kim Clijsters announced on Thursday her return to competitive tennis in 2020, seven years after retiring to become a stay-at-home mum of three children.

The 36-year-old four-time singles Grand Slam champion said she loved being a mum but missed the adrenalin of the tennis world tour.

"These last seven years I've been a full-time mum. And I love it, I really do. But I also loved being a professional tennis player. And honestly I miss that feeling," she said on Twitter.

Clijsters won the US Open in 2005, 2009 and 2010, and the Australian Open in 2011.

She initially retired in 2007 aged 23, making a return two years later after having her first child to win her second US Open, then hanging up her racquet again after the 2012 US Open.

In a 51-second video on social media she asks: "Could I be a loving mum to three kids, and the best tennis player I can possibly be? "Let's do this. Let's come back one more time. See you in 2020."