• What the Deuce

'Belgian sisters' can end Williamses' Olympic dominance

Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin are considering doubling up for the London 2012 Olympics © PA Photos

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Belgium may be famous for chocolates, waffles and lace, but famous Belgians seem to be at a premium. Tintin may be the nation's most famous export, but two of the first names on any list are likely to be Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters - former world No. 1s with ten grand slam titles between them.

On the face of it, there are obvious comparisons to be drawn between the pair. Both Henin, 28 and Clijsters, 27, are playing in their 'second careers' after calling time on the sport - Clijsters in 2007 and Henin the following year. Their careers have been intertwined since the pair first met at a junior tournament in Ostend age nine and eight respectively, and have met 25 times over a 12-year period as professionals.

But on closer inspection, the pair are like chalk and cheese. The Flemish-speaking Clijsters; with her impressive defence and her incredible athleticism, and the diminutive French-speaking Henin; fierce and aggressive. Once dubbed the 'Belgian sisters' by Jennifer Capriati, the pair have enjoyed a fierce rivalry - with Clijsters edging the head to head 13 wins to 12.

The pair have never been close friends, and their relationship was damaged almost irrevocably in 2003 when Clijsters' father Lei suggested Henin had been using performance-enhancing drugs. Henin reportedly refused to play Fed Cup with Clijsters and the pair made no secret of their differences.

However, their time away from the sport gave both players a new perspective, and on Henin's return to tennis in 2010, both players made pains to stress their mutual respect.

"Our relationship is very good," Henin said. "We can feel we grew up a lot, both of us. Kim, of course, having a baby, and the distance I took also for two years. We are more adult now and we have a lot of respect. We both want to win, but the relationship is very good."

Clijsters added: "It's not a completely black and white difference. But I think we've definitely grown up. I think we've had great times together playing Fed Cup, messaging each other on phones, teasing each other, fun, relaxing. I think that's how I would have liked it to have always been."

The pair renewed their rivalry three times in 2010 - with Clijsters claiming three wins in Brisbane, Miami, and in a thrilling fourth-round clash at Wimbledon, where a fall ended Henin's season. She made her return to the court last week in an exhibition match in Antwerp against Clijsters, where the pair admitted they were considering teaming up for the women's doubles at the London 2012 Olympics.

The pair have played together just once - in a dead rubber against Russia's Maria Kirilenko and Dinara Safina in the 2005 Fed Cup quarter-finals. But don't write them off - Clijsters herself is a strong doubles player - having won 11 titles on the WTA Tour, including back-to-back grand slams with Ai Sugiyama at the 2003 French Open and Wimbledon.

Venus and Serena Williams have won 12 grand slam doubles titles © Getty Images

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She became only the fifth woman to have been ranked as world No. 1 in singles and doubles simultaneously. Henin reached a career-high doubles ranking of 23 in 2002, but what she lacks in doubles pedigree, she makes up for in sheer guts and determination - she is quite simply a fearsome competitor.

If the pair can both maintain their fitness, their alliance would be a huge boost for Olympic organisers and tennis fans in London. With Henin's powerful serve and aggression, combined with Clijsters doubles experience and athletic defence, they could make formidable team.

The "Belgian sisters" will be looking to end Venus and Serena Williams' dominance at the Olympics - the 2004 and 2008 champions are a dominant force - after their victory at the French Open in June the sisters held all four grand slam doubles titles.

The Williamses' advantage is obvious - the pair have played together since they were tall enough to swing a racket, and have an innate understanding on court. They will be a tough act to topple, but if Henin and Clijsters are willing to put their differences aside and step on court for a higher cause - the motivation will certainly be there to beat the American sisters.

Like Clijsters and Henin, the Williams sisters are rapidly approaching 30 (Venus hit the milestone in June) and London 2012 is likely to be their final bow, on the Olympic stage at least. Like Henin, Serena has been out of action since Wimbledon, and will miss the defence of her Australian Open crown.

But should all four reach London in rude health, a mouthwatering showdown is in prospect. Four of greatest players of the last decade on one court; fighting for a gold medal to cap off their own glittering careers.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.