Former world number one Justine Henin announced that she will return to playing tennis competitively as of January 2010 and the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour appreciates her decision.

"Justine is one of the great champions in the history of women’s tennis, and we, along with millions of her fans around the globe, are thrilled with her announcement today," said Stacey Allaster, chairman and CEO of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.

"Justine is that rare athlete who decided to step away from the game at the height of her powers, and no doubt she will be a force to be reckoned with from the get go. Her career was marked by so many amazing moments, and a new chapter begins today."

Justine has announced her plan to return to the Tour 16 months after what was at the time considered to be a permanent retirement. (via On the Baseline, photo: Ralf Reinecke)

After weeks of rumors about her return, speaking to the Belgian television station RTL, former world number one Justine Henin officially announced her plans to come back to the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour in January 2010.

"I am really happy and am deeply moved to be able to announce this evening that I will return to competition," said the 27-year-old seven-time Grand Slam champion.

Henin shocked the world by announcing her immediate retirement May 14, 2008, claiming that her drive to compete was gone for good. Thing have changed in the meantime.

"There is a flame which is revived," the Belgian added. "I thought it forever extinct."

Henin will launch her comeback in Australia next season. (source: On the Baseline, photo via Tennis Channel)

Two Belgian media are reporting that much-missed Justine Henin is expected to announce a return to professional tennis on Tuesday.

If what La Derniere Heure and Le Soir are reporting is true, the former world No.1 Henin will follow in the footsteps of other former top-ranked players like Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport, and fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters who has returned to the Tour just a few weeks ago and has already won the US Open.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion who retired on May 14, 2008, would most probably shake up the Tour with her comeback, but on the other hand make it steadier as well. (source: On the Baseline, photo: Tennis Channel)

Newly-crowned US Open champion Kim Clijsters, who has from an unranked player amazingly propelled to No.19 in the rankings, showed off her trophy in New York’s Times Square, joined by husband Brian Lynch and super cute daughter Jada.

The former world No.1 Clijsters has never looked better, and why wouldn't she, her US Open triumph is highlighting the whole tennis season.

Just to mention: Kim’s fellow Belgian and great champion Justine Henin used her official website to congratulate Kim on this great success.

Dear Kim,

Congratulations with your magnificent victory.
Once again, Jada can be very proud of her mama. Your achievement is just fantastic! Warm applause to you and your whole family.

Best regards,
Justine

(photos via Down the Line)

According to Belgian newspaper Vers L'Avenir there is a possibility of Justine Henin returning to the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour next season.

The Belgian, who abruptly retired in May 2008 while still at the top of the rankings and just ahead of her favorite Grand Slam (Roland Garros), has started training for exhibitions in Belgium and Dubai at the end of this year. Henin’s entourage has confirmed the preparations, while Vers L'Avenir added that Henin is considering the revival of her tennis career.

While retiring, Henin was confident about her decision, stating she wanted to do other things in life, and backed it up months later by saying:

No, no competition is over for me. For me, it’s definitely over. When I took my decision I knew it was forever. So I don’t say I will never be back for an exhibition or for another event in the future. But for me (playing) on the Tour? Yeah, it’s in the past and I won’t come back. I made the right decision and I stick to my decision. I will never change my mind about that decision.

The 27-year-old Henin had claimed 41 WTA titles, including 7 Grand Slams. (source: Tennis.com, photo: Stephane Martinache)