(Sports Network) - Former world No. 1 star Justine Henin announced her return to the WTA Tour on Tuesday.

The seven-time Grand Slam event champion appeared on Belgian television to say she would re-join the circuit in time for next season.

"I'm really happy and deeply moved to be able to announce tonight that I'm coming back to competitive tennis," Henin told RTL-TVI.

"These past 15 months have been enriching, but there is a flame that has been re-lit. I thought it had been put out forever."

Last month, Henin's long-time Belgian rival Kim Clijsters ended a two-plus- year retirement in order to return to the tour, and in only her third tournament back, the former top-ranked Clijsters captured the U.S. Open title two weeks ago.

In May of last year, the diminutive Henin shocked the tennis world by announcing a decision to retire, as she became the first-ever reigning world No. 1 to do so.

The now-27-year-old Henin, best known for her beautiful one-handed backhand, tremendous athleticism and unrivalled work ethic, quit last year after experiencing a bevy of physical ailments in nine-plus years on the grueling circuit.

A four-time French Open champ, the 5-foot-5 Henin has captured seven Grand Slam titles among her 41 overall career championships and first rose to No. 1 in October of 2003. The Liege native has accumulated more than $19 million in prize money.

"Justine is one of the great champions in the history of women's tennis, and we, along with millions of her fans around the globe, are thrilled with her announcement today," said WTA Tour chairman and CEO Stacey Allaster. "Justine is that rare athlete who decided to step away from the game at the height of her powers, and no doubt she will be a force to be reckoned with from the get go. Her career was marked by so many amazing moments, and a new chapter begins today."

The 2004 Olympic gold medalist Henin, who serves as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, has captured every major tennis event, with the exception of Wimbledon. She even helped tiny Belgium win its first and only Fed Cup title back in 2001 and is a two-time winner of the prestigious year-end Tour Championships.

Henin's long-time coach Carlos Rodriguez said the Belgian great is determined to capture Wimbledon for the first time, having twice finished as the runner- up at the All England Club.

"I swear I was extremely surprised," Rodriguez said. "I'm happy because at the end of the day it's what she loves. She has entrusted me [to be her coach] once again and I will try to never let her down."

"I'm very happy to be helping her to restart her new life," Rodriguez added. It's a super challenge for her. The desire to win Wimbledon is one of the main reasons she's come back, and I'll do everything to help her do it."



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