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Clijsters tips Wozniacki for greatness

Kim Clijsters denied Caroline Wozniacki in her only grand slam final appearance at the 2009 US Open © Getty Images

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Kim Clijsters believes Caroline Wozniacki could be a major force in women's tennis for many years to come.

The Dane replaced Serena Williams as world No. 1 following her sixth title of the year in Beijing, and is the top seed at the WTA Championships in Doha this week.

Clijsters has not played since defending her US Open title in New York in September after picking up a foot injury, and qualified comfortably for Doha, despite only playing ten tournaments this year. Wozniacki, by contrast has played 21 events, but Clijsters has warned that playing too much tennis could prove detrimental.

"When [Dinara] Safina became No. 1, she dropped right away but I'm sure Caroline will not fall back, although she's going to have to reduce the number of tournaments she plays because the business for her is going to start to get very serious," Clijsters said.

"She's a nice girl but she has a game that is physically very demanding. She isn't like Serena who will hit a lot of winners and aces, she has to fight in every match she plays, which is a good thing, and I think she brings beautiful tennis to the tour."

Wozniacki's ascent to No. 1 made her the fifth woman to top the world rankings without having won a grand slam. But Clijsters, the first to earn that dubious claim, believes it is only a matter of time before Wozniacki wins her maiden slam.

"She has a good head on her shoulders she travels with her family as well who will keep it as normal as possible for her so she's not spending all her time worrying about her ranking," Clijsters said.

"She is 20 and although she has achieved so much and although she hasn't won a grand slam, yet I don't think you will be asking that question in a couple of years' time."

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