Kim Clijsters Finishes Her Professional Career With Her Head Held High

Written by: Staff on 30th August 2012

Kim Clijsters Finishes Her Professional Career With Her Head Held High |

One of the unwritten rules in tennis coverage is applause in press conferences is kept to an absolute minimum. For second round losers at the U.S. Open it’s unheard of but Kim Clijsters is very much an exception to most rules, and she received applause from an appreciative media audience.

The 29 year-old Belgian, who has won the US Open three times and had not been beaten at the calendar’s concluding tennis major since 2003 and for good measure can throw in an Australian Open title and 20 weeks spent as the world’s no.1 ranked player, had just played her last competitive singles match.

Clijsters insisted no matter what the outcome at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center this year, it would be her farewell and no longer would husband Brian Lynch and daughter Jada have to take second place to her tennis career.

And after losing out 7-6, 7-6 to Britain’s highly impressive 89th ranked Laura Robson, there was not any glimpse of any second thoughts. “This completely feels like the perfect place to retire,” Clijsters admitted on the post-match on court interview. “I just wish it wasn’t today.”

Clijsters admitted tears were close as she tried to sum up her feelings on court as she faced up to the end of a career that saw her first play the U.S. Open’s main draw in 1999 at the age of 16.

But an hour later she was suitably composed to announce: “ I’m happy. It’s been an incredible journey and a lot of dreams have come true for me because of tennis. As a little girl, I got tennis rackets under the Christmas tree and outfits of Steffi Graf and Monica Seles. I would wear them to bed I was so excited.

“It’s been a crazy roller coaster at times and we’ve had a lot of things happen in the last 15 years I’ve been on tour. I’m able to look back on them and I’m happy with the progress I have made.”

Robson, who has idolized Clijsters throughout her career and used the Belgian as an inspiration, admitted she purposely did not think about the possibility of being the player to end her heroine’s career.

“If I thought about that I would have been a lot more nervous, for sure,” said the 18 year-old who won an Olympic silver medal at Mixed Doubles alongside Andy Murray. “It’s definitely disappointing to see her retire because she’s such a great addition to the women’s game.

“She’s always been someone that I’ve looked up to since I started on the tour. She’s always been incredibly nice to be around. I think we’re all going to miss her.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: American tennis news, Belgium tennis news, Kim Clijsters, Sports, Tennis News, US Open 2012