The 21-year-old Belgian ended her nine-month engagement to Hewitt in October, a couple of weeks after suffering a recurrence of a wrist injury at the Belgian Open and being told she may never play tennis again.

It was a difficult time emotionally as the couple had been together for five years but she says she has now recovered.

"I'm very happy," Clijsters told Reuters after beating Australian Nicole Pratt 6-2, 6-1 in the first round of the Pacific Life Open women's event in California on Wednesday.

"It's the past. I've learned so much out of those five years and it's an experience that everyone should have."

Clijsters said after the break-up and during the period when she was unsure whether she could resume her career, she became slightly depressed.

"For a few weeks it was very tough but my family was there for me. Having that stability really helped me.

"For the first time, I got to do a lot of things with my sister, Elke, and that was really great because before she was off at boarding school and I was playing.

"It made me forget other things that were bothering me. I grew as a person."

Clijsters is enjoying her new life, making new friends at home in Belgium and developing fresh outside interests, including renovating old homes.

FIRST TIME

This week is the first time that Clijsters and Hewitt, who announced in January he would be marrying Australian actress Bec Cartwright following a whirlwind romance, will see each other since their split.

Hewitt takes on American Robby Ginepri or a qualifier in the Pacific Life Open men's event on Sunday.

Clijsters, who was off the tour most of last year rehabilitating her wrist, said she matured during her time off and discovered a lot about herself.

The Belgian believes she and Hewitt will have bright futures.

"I made the right decision and I'm happy," Clijsters said. "I believe that if you stay positive, everything will turn out positive for both sides.

"That's the most important thing at the end of the day, that you are both happy. I think that will happen for both of us."

Clijsters had previously refused to talk publicly about the break-up and was furious at the Belgian media for digging into her personal life after the split.

"I've never been in a situation like that before," she said. "It was a bad experience.

"It didn't bother me but when it involved my sister and my family and friends, it did. Some were saying I was dating other guys, which wasn't true, and I said this is too much.

"I had to stop it. If you don't do anything, it would have kept going on."

Clijsters's biggest concern now is getting back the form that took her to the number one ranking in 2003, and the world number 134 believes she can climb back to the top.

"I think I can," she said. "If you don't feel you can do it, you wouldn't try."

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