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Justine Henin - Source: Photosport -
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Justine Henin is poised to kick-start her tennis return at the Brisbane International alongside fellow Belgian comeback queen Kim Clijsters.
In a huge shot in the arm for the fledgling Queensland tournament, Henin's coach on Thursday revealed the former world No.1 was set to launch her second coming at Pat Rafter Arena in the January 3-10 event.
Carlos Rodriguez said Henin had to choose between Brisbane or the WTA event in Auckland, starting on January 4, and indicated "it will probably be Brisbane".
The news was music to the ears of Brisbane International organisers just hours before the launch of the event, which will feature Clijsters and Andy Roddick as major drawcards, along with Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Dokic, James Blake and Gael Monfils.
Tournament director Steve Ayles, in negotiations with Henin, said the acquisition of the seven-time grand slam winner would massively lift world-wide interest in the event, particularly given US Open champion Clijsters' involvement.
"It would take it to a new level for a couple of reasons," Ayles said.
"One, it would be her comeback tournament.
"The other thing is the Henin-Clijsters (combination) - both comeback people and both Belgian - so that would have a lot of interest for the public as well.
"To have the two comeback queens from Belgium, it would be fantastic."
Ayles vowed to leave no stone unturned in luring Henin and confidently believed Brisbane held all the aces over Auckland.
"The climate, the covered stadium and, of course, Brisbane is potentially a more attractive place to go than Auckland," he said.
"That's what we're trying to sell to her at the moment.
"I'll do my utmost to get her here."
Henin retired in May last year after winning 41 WTA tournaments and spending more than two years as No.1, citing injuries and a desire to live a different life.
Despite her better record, the Belgian media last month portrayed Henin unfavourably, compared with the bubbly Clijsters, owing to her cool demeanour.
Rodriguez told the Belga news agency she will begin her fitness work with rugged training in Orlando, Florida in the coming weeks before looking Down Under for her first tournament.
"It is Justine who will decide. It will probably be Brisbane," he said.
Deadlines for the International, which debuted on the ATP circuit this January, close on November 22.
Ayles hailed former world No.1 Ivanovic's decision to return as the "ultimate endorsement for the tournament, the city and the state".
The 2008 French Open champion spent several weeks preparing in Queensland, basing herself on the Sunshine Coast, where she met her current boyfriend, golfer Adam Scott.
"She's coming back to do exactly the same but she's coming even earlier," Ayles said.
