Tokyo:
Top women's tennis players on Sunday hailed the return of former number one players Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin but said their performances won't be influenced by the intensifying competition.
Preparing for her appearance at the Pan Pacific Open tournament here, Elena Dementieva of Russia, the world number four, praised Clijsters' surprise victory at the US Open two weeks ago.
"I think it was very impressive the way Kim Clijsters was coming back, especially by winning in New York the US Open. I think it was very impressive," said Dementieva, the Beijing Olympic gold medallist.
"I was not surprised that actually Justine is coming back because, you know, at the time she decided to retire, she was pretty young. So was Kim. I was expecting them to come back," the Russian said.
Clijsters, 26, leapt back into the international limelight and won her second title at Flushing Meadows Park just five weeks after ending a 27-month retirement during which time she married and had a daughter.
Her victory was quickly followed by 27-year-old Henin announcing her return to the WTA circuit, ending her 16-month retirement.
World number three Venus Williams, also appearing in the Tokyo tournament, said her focus was on her own performance, not rivals.
"I am so focused as a player," Williams said. "I just focus a lot on my game. People come back. I hope they enjoy their tennis."
Danish teenager Caroline Wozniacki, who played her first Grand Slam final against Clijsters in New York, kept her calm and said she felt strong throughout their match and grew in confidence, despite losing 7-5, 6-3.
"I felt like it could have been my match, maybe, if I had won the first set. She (Clijsters) played really hard. She played well, hitting hard," Wozniacki said.
"I felt like I was in a really good shape. I didn't give up at any time. I think that has helped me just to reach a new level," she said.
Preparing for her appearance at the Pan Pacific Open tournament here, Elena Dementieva of Russia, the world number four, praised Clijsters' surprise victory at the US Open two weeks ago.
"I think it was very impressive the way Kim Clijsters was coming back, especially by winning in New York the US Open. I think it was very impressive," said Dementieva, the Beijing Olympic gold medallist.
"I was not surprised that actually Justine is coming back because, you know, at the time she decided to retire, she was pretty young. So was Kim. I was expecting them to come back," the Russian said.
Clijsters, 26, leapt back into the international limelight and won her second title at Flushing Meadows Park just five weeks after ending a 27-month retirement during which time she married and had a daughter.
Her victory was quickly followed by 27-year-old Henin announcing her return to the WTA circuit, ending her 16-month retirement.
World number three Venus Williams, also appearing in the Tokyo tournament, said her focus was on her own performance, not rivals.
"I am so focused as a player," Williams said. "I just focus a lot on my game. People come back. I hope they enjoy their tennis."
Danish teenager Caroline Wozniacki, who played her first Grand Slam final against Clijsters in New York, kept her calm and said she felt strong throughout their match and grew in confidence, despite losing 7-5, 6-3.
"I felt like it could have been my match, maybe, if I had won the first set. She (Clijsters) played really hard. She played well, hitting hard," Wozniacki said.
"I felt like I was in a really good shape. I didn't give up at any time. I think that has helped me just to reach a new level," she said.
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