Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters have been playing each other since their junior days in Belgium and have met on the pro tour 22 times, with Henin winning 12 of those matches.
Clijsters, 26, reached No. 1 and won the U.S. Open in 2005 before retiring abruptly in April 2007 to get married and have a child. Daughter Jada is now almost two years old. Clijsters announced her surprise return to the tour last summer and won the U.S. Open in just her third event back.
Henin, 27, won seven Grand Slams before retiring even more unexpectedly in May 2008, when she was ranked No. 1 and due to defend her French Open title in a couple of weeks' time. Henin announced her return last fall and Brisbane is the first event of her comeback.
Henin had become the dominant player leading up to the early retirements, winning eight of their last 11 matches and all five Grand Slam meetings from 2003 onwards. The relationship was not always a friendly one, with both camps taking public swipes at the other from time to time.
While Henin clearly held the mental edge in their later matchups, both say they bring a different mindset to their 'second career.' This first meeting after unretirement could set the tone for the second installment of the rivalry.
Head-to-Head
12 Henin vs. Clijsters 10