Success has rivals querying Clijsters' decision

MELBOURNE, Jan 13 (Reuters) The title success in Sydney of Kim Clijsters has left some of the Belgian's rivals questioning the wisdom of her decision to retire at the end of the year, and considering the duration of their own playing careers.

The 23-year-old former U.S. Open champion is quitting professional tennis at the end of the 2007 campaign and preparing for married life with basketball player Brian Lynch.

Clijsters, a former world number one, goes into the Australian Open next week free of the injuries that have blighted her career and with an impressive title victory at the Sydney International on Friday under her belt. ''It's hard to think when you're going to stop,'' said the 19-year-old Russian Maria Sharapova, top seed in next week's grand slam event at Melbourne Park.

''I'm definitely enjoying what I'm doing right now. I love the feeling of going on the court and trying to get myself better. I still have that motivation to work hard.

''But I definitely think there are a lot of other things in life than tennis. I want to have a family, of course. I want to try other things in my career. But, yeah, I can definitely see myself retiring at that age (24).

Still dubbed 'Aussie Kim' after her engagement to Australia's Lleyton Hewitt, Clijsters would be a hugely popular winner in her farewell year at a grand slam where a runner-up spot in 2004 represents her best effort.

No stranger to retirement, three-time winner Martina Hingis returned to the tour full-time at the start of last season after a three-year absence from the professional game.

Hingis, the sixth seed at Melbourne Park, was quick to see the irony of Clijsters' upturn in form.

''I mean, it's kind of funny because she just won last week.

She's playing great tennis.

''I don't think I'm the right person to give any advice to anybody because I love the game, so does she. As long as she can hold up, her body, she's a great sportswoman.'' Clijsters saved a match point before beating Serbia's Jelena Jankovic 4-6 7-6 6-4 on Friday to win the Sydney International for the second time in four years.

''Usually I say 'see you next year' but that's going to be different,'' the Belgian told the Sydney crowd after securing her 34th career title.

REUTERS YA DS1123