Two former World No.1s were seen practicing ahead of their Dubai Open campaign. Simona Halep took the court with the player who has caused a stir around the WTA Tour with her comeback – Kim Clijsters. Speaking after their training session, Halep expressed her nervousness, "I was nervous.
I told my coach that I was going to be nervous about training with her. We played five or six years ago in Brisbane (in 2012, ed.) But that was different because I was a different person and a different player at the time. But I remember that I didn't hit a ball in the first set, 6-0 (actually 6-1, ed.) And after I found some rhythm, it became 6-4 in the second set.
But it was impressive that she had just become a mum and gave birth to a daughter and then came back to become a grand slam champion. I am sure she will know how to make this comeback work. It will be different with three children.
You see life a little differently. Not evident. But she is an inspiration to us all. " Clijsters mentioned that she is Halep’s fan and that she too was nervous like Halep prior to their hitting session. “I have been a big fan of her for a few years.
Obviously watching her win French Open, seeing her in Wimbledon was great to see for somebody who is such a hard worker. Obviously her coach Darren I know very well. Through him, we book a practice session. It was fun”.