Former world No 1 Kim Clijsters of Belgium on Thursday announced her return to competitive tennis almost two years after retiring from the sport.

The 25-year-old right-hander, famous for her trademark splits defensive play, won 34 WTA tournaments and 11 doubles' crowns, including the 2005 US Open title when she defeated French player Mary Pierce 6-3, 6-1 at Flushing Meadows.