Kim Clijsters To Advise Her Friend Flipkens

Written by: Staff on 18th October 2012

Kim Clijsters To Advise Her Friend Flipkens

epa03374400 Kim Clijsters of Belgium hits a return to Laura Robson of Great Britain during their match on the third day of the 2012 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 29 August 2012. The US Open runs through Sunday 09 September 2012. EPA/LARRY W. SMITH |

Little more than a month following her emotional retirement from tennis, Kim Clijsters could be back in the sport on a temporary basis as an adviser for fellow Belgian and good friend Kristen Flipkens.

The No. 58 who played her career in the shadow of three-time US Open winner Clijsters, has put up some good results over the past few months, winning a title in Quebec in September and coming from qualifying to reach the Linz. She has risen from outside the top 200 in four months.

Clijsters, a mother of one who has retired before to have her child, may be again finding that housewife status is not enough for her in life after a decade among the tennis elite.

So, the 29-year-old is glad to help out her compatriot. Flipkens, who has won 24 of her last 26 matches, said that Clijsters would come on board for some 2013 events.

“She’s not my coach, but she knows how to help me and what I need before and after a match, and she’s going to come to some tournaments with me,” Flipkens told European media. “Her family comes first, so we’ll see where it’s possible and where it’s not.

“I’m happy she’ll be helping me wherever she can. I’ve known her for 20 years – she has always been a little bit like my bigger sister, always taking care of me and trying to help me.

“We grew up in the same tennis school when we were younger. I was six or seven years old when I met her. Our moms are very good friends too, and I also grew up with her sister, Elke.

It’s amazing – I’m glad our friendship lasted this long. To everyone else she’s Kim the tennis player, but to me she’s Kim.”

Topics: Belgium tennis news, Kim Clijsters, Kristen Flipkens, Sports, Tennis News