I know that I'm going to have to work hard, keep working hard, and not because of this victory think, "I'm back." I don't think like that. I'll definitely work hard. Things are not going to be easy. I might lose first round next week. You never know.

Clijsters won the 2011 Australian Open singles by beating Li Na 3–6 6–3 6–3. After defeating Marlene Weingärtner Maria Elena Camerin (with a double bagel)Dinara SafinaSilvia Farina EliaAnastasia Myskina (during the match Clijsters aggravated her ankle injury) and Patty Schnyder to reach the final. Third woman to win two Grand Slams as a mother one shy of the record by Margaret Court.

Clijsters announced her retirement with immediate effect on 6 May 2007 but almost two years later on 26 March 2009 Kim Clijsters publicly declared her intent to return to the WTA tour for the 2009 summer hard court season. She has also been runner-up in two Grand Slam doubles tournaments one WTA Championships doubles tournament and one Grand Slam mixed doubles tournament. According to Forbes in August 2011 Kim Clijsters became the fifth highest-paid female athlete over the past year.