They Came-back, Saw and Conquered

What is it about sporting stars, which inspires them to mark dramatic comebacks? The success stories of comeback stars may not be that obvious in the face of it. But few do stand out. Some stand out because of the reasons surrounding an earlier retirement. Michael Schumacher's (Schumi) comeback from retirement is probably the most recent one. Just by the stature of the man and his achievements, he deserves to be in the limelight of comebacks. But what intrigues me more, is the reminder of how many women tennis players have made comebacks and highly successful ones too!

Jennifer Capriati is a classic example. A teenage tennis prodigy at 14, she lost it to marijuana, charges of shoplifting, but struggled through to make a determined comeback. And when she did comeback, she literally dominated women's circuit. She won 3 Grand Slams during her comeback streak from 2001 to 2002, winning the Australian Open twice and the French Open. Her comeback has been regarded as one of the greatest comebacks of the past decade. The very opponent she fought out to win the French Open in 2001, Kim Clijsters also made an equally big comeback last year.

The Belgian tennis star, was touted as Grand Slam champion material since she stepped onto the tennis circuit. But somehow, unlike her other compatriot Justin Henin, never won a Grand Slam. That was until 2005 when she won the U.S Open. Two years later, she retired from the women's tennis circuit. Henin in the meantime continued her dominance. But when the spunky Clijsters announced a comeback, it was dramatic.

Clijsters had a personal promotion of becoming a mother during her 2 year hiatus, and then got a wild card entry into the U.S. Open in 2009. It is something movies are made of. In true movie style, she overcame the favourite of the tournament, Serena Willams under controversial circumstances and eventually won the tournament after 4 years. It was a treat for the eyes and as remarkable a comeback as Capriati's. And Clijsters doesn't seem to have ended it yet.

Clijsters' comeback prompted her compatriot and an even bigger star, Justin Henin to come out of her own retirement. Only the Wimbledon has eluded this former world no 1. Though Henin's comeback has not been as dramatic as that of Clijsters' or Capriati's, one can safely bet that there will be enough and more competition for the Willams' sisters to look forward to now. In a remarkable coincidence and true rivalry spirit, the two Belgian stars will test their comebacks when they face off in the final of the Brisbane International this week.