Clijsters talks challenges of being a mom on tour

With Serena Williams giving birth to her daughter on September 1, and revealing her name just this week, the next step is announcing her return date. The 36-year-old has hinted at coming back to the tour as early as the Australian Open.

Fellow new WTA mom Victoria Azarenka had her son Leo in December, and returned to the tour in June in Mallorca.

Margaret Court and Evonne Goolagong both made successful returns after having children, but Kim Clijsters is the most recent tennis example.

"It's tough but at the same time we push ourselves to the extremes all the time, and so without a doubt for them it will be easier," Clijsters told Baseline about Azarenka and Williams. "I'm not saying winning, but to be back and to be back in shape because our bodies is used to being a certain way, and mentally as well. "

She first retired in 2007 to have daughter Jada Elle in 2008. But then the Belgian returned to the tour in 2009, winning the US Open in just her third tournament back. She certainly never expected that kind of success.

"I felt like my level was good enough, but I didn't think like that. I never thought like that," Clijsters said. "I kind of always approached each match like OK I'm going to have to play like my best tennis if I want to be able to win. That's what I did before I had Jada and after I had Jada."

"For me the hardest thing was to balance being a professional athlete and being a mother. At times I struggled because I felt like I wasn't doing both right," Clijsters said. "It's hard to explain but at times I felt like I wanted to be there when Jada was waking up at night and I didn't want the nanny to do that, but then I understood it was before a big game or something. There was moments where I thought that should be me doing that. It's all about finding that balance. For Vika it will be different from how Serena will do it."

She remains the only WTA player to win more majors with children in tow than without, picking up the 2010 US Open and 2011 Australian Open for four total career majors. Clijsters retired after the 2012 US Open and has had two more children since.

Azarenka reached the fourth round of her first Slam back at Wimbledon, but a custody battle forced her to miss the US Open. She's still working to settle the dispute with her son's father, Billy McKeague, so she can continue her career freely.

Meanwhile, Williams has been busy sharing her new baby joy with the world.

Hopefully both will be able to compete at the Australian Open in January.