"I have decided not to play official tournaments anymore (...) thank you to all those who have supported me over the past two years", wrote the 38-year-old Belgian on her Instagram account, under a photo showing her in front of a holiday landscape with her husband and three children.
On the WTA website, the Flemish sportswoman now living in the United States explained her decision by her responsibilities as a mother incompatible with the requirements of the competition.
She also wants to support the budding basketball career of her eldest daughter Jada, 14.
His last official match dates back to October 7, 2021, where his elimination upon entering the WTA 1000 in Indian Wells followed four setbacks suffered since his second comeback started in 2020 after more than seven years without playing.
The Belgian left the courts for the first time at the age of 23 in May 2007, before a resounding return in 2009 just one year after the birth of her daughter Jada, to win two editions of the US Open (2009, 2010) after that of 2005, and an Australian Open (2011).
Clijsters had announced her return to the circuit in September 2019, but the coronavirus pandemic (imposing travel restrictions) and a knee injury have contributed to complicate the task, she also underlined on Tuesday.
© 2022 AFP