Brussels - Former world number one Justine Henin on Tuesday announced her return to tennis some 16 months after she retired from the game, following in the footsteps of Kim Clijsters. Henin told RTL-TVi television in a live broadcast that she will play some exhibition matches at the end of the year and then return for the 2010 season, with a first highlight the Australian Open.
Henin, 27, said she plans to play until the 2012 Olympics in London.
"A fire has started to burn inside me again, a fire I thought was extinguished," she said. "I have recharged my batteries in the past months, physically and emotionally, and will return to the circuit.
"I am happy, but there are also doubts at the beginning of such an adventure. But I believe it is the best choice. I am happy that I can share this with everyone now."
Henin boasts seven Grand Slam titles and one Olympic gold medal. Her backhand was considered the best in the world during her career.
Henin is following compatriot Clijsters who came out of a two-year retirement in August and then won the US Open in New York on September 13.
On her website, Henin congratulated Clijsters on winning the US Open: "Congratulations with your magnificent victory.
"Once again, Jada can be very proud of her mama. Your achievement is just fantastic! Warm applause to you and your whole family."
But Henin said on Tuesday that Clijsters' return was not the main factor for her to make a comeback as well.
"Maybe unconsciously ... it was an inspiration. But it wasn't the most important reason. More important was Roger Federer winning Roland Garros," she said, referring to Federer's first win in June at the French Open, her favourite Grand Slam.
Henin won 41 WTA Tour titles and held the world number one spot for 117 weeks. Henin announced her retirement on May 14, 2008, saying she was "at the end of the road" and wanted to devote more time to life away from tennis.
"Now I have been playing tennis for 20 years and it's been my whole life but as a woman, as you get older, you need to think about the future," she said at the time.
"A new future is ahead and I won't go back on this decision."
On Tuesday, Henin said that "I had to settle a few things when I quit." She said considered having a child, but that the birth of her sister's daughter showed her that "I was not ready for this yet."
