She has been out for 18 months after a shock retirement in 2008 and was granted a wildcard by tournament organizers, who have assembled a strong line-up.

CNN: Clijsters makes winning start to 2010

Paddock wags also reminisced about Wayne Gardner's only victory of his final season in 1992, which came shortly after announcing his retirement, and Simon Crafar's shock defeat of Mick Doohan in 1998.

BBC: Matt Roberts' MotoGP column

Participants in pension schemes with defined contributions rather than defined benefits, such as America's 401(k) plans, face shock and disappointment if lower returns than expected leave them stranded at retirement.

ECONOMIST: Stockmarket valuations