Clijsters and Henin have won nine Grand Slam titles between them

Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters aim to play in front of the most tennis fans in history to raise funds for charity.

The Belgian stars will play an exhibition match at Brussels' 40,000-capacity King Baudouin Stadium in July.

They aim to beat the 30,472 fans who attended the 1973 "Battle of the Sexes" between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs at the Houston Astrodome.

And the fans could be in for a novel experience with organisers considering a half clay-half hardcourt surface.

The 'Best of Belgium' idea, scheduled for 8 July to mark the opening of nation's six-month presidency of the European Union, would bring two of the country's biggest stars, who have both come out of retirement to resume their playing careers.

"It is extraordinary. It is almost surreal," said Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme, who is offering his support for the match.

"When I talk to world leaders, whether it is in China or the United States, they talk about Kim and Justine."

Henin and Clijsters hope their popularity in their homeland will help them set a new attendance record for the sport.

606: DEBATE Can Henin & Clijsters break tennis crowd record?

"We can do this together, so why not break this record?", said Henin, who reached the final of the Australian Open in January, after being out of the game since May 2008.

Clijsters made an even more spectacular return to the court, winning the 2009 US Open as a wildcard entrant after originally hanging up her racquet in 2007 due to recurring injuries.

"It will be very emotional," admitted Clijsters. "It's so much bigger than what we're used to."

While they may set a new record, the game will struggle to match the political and social significance of King's 6-4 6-3 6-3 victory over Riggs in 1973, which captured attention around the globe.

Organisers have not ruled out the possibility of giving Henin the chance to demonstrate her skills on her preferred clay, and Clijsters the opportunity to excels on the hardcourts she favours.

Clijsters already has experience of playing on special occasions. In 2009 she, along with Steffi Graff, Andre Agassi and Tim Henman, played an exhibition mixed doubles match to inaugurate the retractable roof on Wimbledon's Centre Court.

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