Belgian Star Kim Clijsters Retires From Tennis
Former world number one tennis star Kim Clijsters has shocked the sporting world by deciding to retire from the game with immediate effect.
Sunday 6th May 2007, 13:58
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The popular Belgian had already labelled this season as her last on tour; however, the 23-year-old has decided to bow out at this point due to a series of niggling injuries
Having endured a month away from match practice, Clijsters had recently lacked sharpness in the WTA J&S; Cup, but her loss to the little known qualifier Julia Vakulenko, was thought as more of a set back than a defining moment.
Clijsters revealed the news on her web diary, explaining, “It has been more than beautiful but now the rackets will be hung up.
The constantly returning injuries, the laborious crawling out of bed in the morning and the time it takes to warm up tired muscles make it all the more difficult to continue.
I still like to play tennis but my injuries the last few years have made me not enjoy it as much as before," she said.
Despite becoming a locker-room favourite amongst her fellow professionals, the right-hander had a frustrating lack of success in her brief career, often living in the shadow of fellow Belgian Justine Henin.
Clijsters became more of a bridesmaid than the bride and tasted grand slam success on only one occasion, winning the US Open in 2005.
She came close to adding to her trophy haul at the French Open in 2001 and 2003 and experienced further final disappointment at the 2004 Australian open. The current world number four also came close at the home of tennis where she lost at Wimbledon’s semi-final stage on two occasions.
Clijsters had been engaged to fellow tennis professional Lleyton Hewitt, however, their relationship ended late in 2004. She is now engaged to 27-year-old American Basketball player Brian Lynch and the couple are to marry in July this year.
Despite her impending retirement, the decision to retire with immediate effect comes as a surprise as it was believed that the battler still had plans to compete at Wimbledon before settling down as a housewife.
It’s clear that although the decision had been a tough one, Clijsters was always clear in her own mind. “After the fantastic and moving farewell in Antwerp all good things must come to an end.”
Having endured a month away from match practice, Clijsters had recently lacked sharpness in the WTA J&S; Cup, but her loss to the little known qualifier Julia Vakulenko, was thought as more of a set back than a defining moment.
Clijsters revealed the news on her web diary, explaining, “It has been more than beautiful but now the rackets will be hung up.
The constantly returning injuries, the laborious crawling out of bed in the morning and the time it takes to warm up tired muscles make it all the more difficult to continue.
I still like to play tennis but my injuries the last few years have made me not enjoy it as much as before," she said.
Despite becoming a locker-room favourite amongst her fellow professionals, the right-hander had a frustrating lack of success in her brief career, often living in the shadow of fellow Belgian Justine Henin.
Clijsters became more of a bridesmaid than the bride and tasted grand slam success on only one occasion, winning the US Open in 2005.
She came close to adding to her trophy haul at the French Open in 2001 and 2003 and experienced further final disappointment at the 2004 Australian open. The current world number four also came close at the home of tennis where she lost at Wimbledon’s semi-final stage on two occasions.
Clijsters had been engaged to fellow tennis professional Lleyton Hewitt, however, their relationship ended late in 2004. She is now engaged to 27-year-old American Basketball player Brian Lynch and the couple are to marry in July this year.
Despite her impending retirement, the decision to retire with immediate effect comes as a surprise as it was believed that the battler still had plans to compete at Wimbledon before settling down as a housewife.
It’s clear that although the decision had been a tough one, Clijsters was always clear in her own mind. “After the fantastic and moving farewell in Antwerp all good things must come to an end.”
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