Kim Clijsters is planning to quit again at the end of the season

Belgian tennis, reeling from the retirement of Justine Henin, must prepare the farewells for Kim Clijsters, who faces Li Na in the women's singles final tomorrow.

Henin came out of retirement at the start of last year but has quit for a second time as a result of lingering elbow problems caused by a fall at Wimbledon.

Although Clijsters took two years out to have baby Jada, she won the 2009 US Open immediately after her return to the sport and retained that title in September.

Now on the eve of the final in Melbourne, the 27-year-old has confirmed this will be her last serious campaign. The third seed said: "I know this will probably be my last full season on the Tour and then we'll see.

"I think it's actually a great feeling to have, knowing that I'm not going to be able to come here for five more years. So, it's nice to give myself the opportunity to play a big match to compete for the title."

Li has received a lot of attention for becoming the first Chinese player to reach a Slam singles final. The ninth seed said: "After the semi-final, my best friend just called me. She was crying on the phone and I was like, 'Okay, just calm down.' I was feeling maybe it had been an amazing day for the friend, for my family and for me."