JUSTINE HENIN

BRUSSELS (DPA) - Former world number one Justine Henin on Tuesday announced her return to tennis some 16 months after she retired from the game, following in the footsteps of Kim Clijsters.

Henin told RTL-TVi television in a live broadcast that she will play some exhibition matches at the end of the year and then return for the 2010 season, with a first highlight the Australian Open.

Henin, 27, said she plans to play until the 2012 Olympics in London.

“A fire has started to burn inside me again, a fire I thought was extinguished,” she said. “I have recharged my batteries in the past months, physically and emotionally, and will return to the circuit.

“I am happy, but there are also doubts at the beginning of such an adventure. But I believe it is the best choice. I am happy that I can share this with everyone now.”

Henin boasts seven Grand Slam titles and one Olympic gold medal.

Her backhand was considered the best in the world during her career.

Henin is following compatriot Clijsters who came out of a two-year retirement in August and then won the US Open in New York on September 13.