The trials and tribulations of tennis often see players turn their back on the sport while in their prime.
Justin Henin retired from the sport at the age of 25, while she still occupied the world number one spot on the WTA Tour rankings.
Similarly, Ashleigh Barty stepped away from the game at the same age after winning three singles Grand Slam titles.
Kim Clijsters stepped away at an even younger age, at just 23, but she returned to the sport in spectacular fashion.
Kim Clijsters’ incredible post-retirement run at the US Open
Clijsters retired in 2007 at the age of 23, citing burnout, injuries, and the desire to start a family as the reasons.
After two years, the Belgian returned to tennis and shocked the world with a remarkable run at the 2009 US Open.
In just her third tournament following her return, Clijsters won the tournament at Flushing Meadows as an unranked player.
Incredibly, Clijsters beat three former world number ones to win the title after sweeping aside Caroline Wozniacki, Serena Williams, and Venus Williams.
The Belgian reached World No. 19 with the landmark win and became the first mother to win a Grand Slam since Evonne Goolagong in 1980.
Other high-profile players to succeed after coming out of retirement
No other player has won a Grand Slam singles title after coming out of retirement, but two stars have managed the feat in doubles.
Martina Navratilova returned to the sport in 2000 and had an exceptional run in the format alongside Leander Paes.
The tennis legend won the Australian Open and Wimbledon in mixed doubles in 2003 and followed it up with her final Grand Slam win at the US Open in 2006 alongside Bob Bryan.
Five-time singles Grand Slam champion Martina Hingis followed a similar path to Navratilova, but she actually retired on two different occasions. The Swiss star retired in 2003, returned in 2005, and then retired again in 2007.
After seven years away from the sport, Hingis returned to doubles in 2014 and won eleven doubles and mixed doubles Grand Slam titles.
