BRISBANE fell in love with Kim Clijsters in 2010.
This year, the Belgian who has long been dubbed "Aussie Kim" lived up to that name when she won the Australian Open.
Yesterday, she became the latest in a string of big-name signings for the Brisbane International, where she will start preparing the defence of her Australian Open crown from January 1-8.
"I am looking forward to getting back on the court in Australia," Clijsters said.
"Australia has always been a home away from home for me and I am very comfortable there."
After she won a punishing 2010 Brisbane International final against countrywoman Justine Henin, Clijsters donated her champion's cheque to the Royal Children's Hospital, winning hearts all over the state.
"The final against Justine was a big match," Clijsters said.
"We both played great tennis, we were extremely focused and we set the bar pretty high. I was so excited to win that match and I am hoping to get this kind of lead-up preparation again."
Clijsters, who has slipped to No.10 in the world after an injury-plagued year, is making her comeback from a torn stomach muscle that prevented her from defending her US Open title last month.
The Brisbane tournament had hoped to welcome the popular mother of one back this year. But with women's tour rules restricting the number of top-10 players in the draw to just one, homegrown star Sam Stosur took that spot.
Since being elevated to a Premier-level event from next year, those limitations have been lifted and the prize pool increased 63 per cent to $1.1 million.
Tournament director Cameron Pearson was thrilled to put Clijsters' name on the bill again.
"She's been the favourite daughter, if you like, of the crowd that we have out to the Brisbane International," he said.
"This year we've got her back, which we're stoked with."
Joining Clijsters in a star-studded line-up will be world No.2 Maria Sharapova, Serbian drawcard Ana Ivanovic and Stosur.
Serena Williams, runner-up to Stosur at the US Open last month, also confirmed she would make her Brisbane International debut, as revealed exclusively in The Courier-Mail yesterday.
"It will help me with my seeding going into the Australian Open, too, so that would be good," said 13-time Grand Slam champion Williams, now ranked 14th after a long injury spell.
"I'm really excited to see everything, like how people are. I have such a great fan base in Australia."
About 67,000 people passed through the gates of the Queensland Tennis Centre at Tennyson for last year's event, with organisers targeting a crowd of 80,000 for next year.
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