ANTWERP, Belgium (AP)—Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin may play doubles together at the 2012 London Olympics.
The Belgian stars said at a press conference Thursday that they are open to the idea but need to overcome scheduling difficulties.
“Obviously for the Olympics, it would be beautiful,” said U.S. Open champion Clijsters, noting 2012 may be her last full competitive season. “It would be nice to go out in such a way.”
They’ve teamed up once before, losing in doubles to Russia in the 2006 Fed Cup quarterfinals.
Both are working to get in top shape for the Australian Open. Henin has been sidelined since Wimbledon with an elbow injury.
“There is a real willingness to be there,” Henin said. “We can already think about it.”
Henin won the 2004 Olympics singles title in Athens, while Clijsters has never competed at the Olympics.
Serena and Venus Williams won the doubles titles at the 2000 Sydney and 2008 Beijing Olympics. They would be considered favorites on the grass of Wimbledon.
Both Clijsters and Henin reached the No. 1 ranking before retiring and making comebacks.
The 27-year-old Clijsters had a stellar 2010 season and was chosen WTA player of the year.
Henin’s successful comeback season ended at Wimbledon when the seven-time Grand Slam champion tore a ligament in her right elbow in a match against Clijsters.
The 28-year-old Henin thought she’d be sidelined for two months, but it turned into half a year. She said she’s still working on getting power on her serve.
“For sure, I’m still not 100 percent,” she said. “But I realize where I came from; I am lucky and happy to be where I am now.”