Belgian tennis is currently going through something of a renaissance, with Clijsters leading the way with Justine Henin.

She was one of the stand-out performers at last year's tournament, beating Henin in the semi-finals before coming within two points of the title against Jennifer Capriati in the final.

Clijsters comes from a sporting background - her father Leo was Belgium's footballer of the year in 1988.

She also has the backing of one of the leading figures in men's tennis - boyfriend Lleyton Hewitt.