Sporting icons : Kim Clijsters: The Belgian Ace of Power, Grace, and Resilience - Career HLs , video

 


Kim Clijsters: The Belgian Ace of Power, Grace, and Resilience

Introduction & Style of Play

Kim Clijsters, born on June 8, 1983, in Bilzen, Belgium, is one of the most admired figures in women’s tennis history. A right-handed player with a powerful two-handed backhand, she was renowned for her athleticism, quick movement, and defensive mastery. Her signature ability to slide into shots even on hard courts showcased both her flexibility and determination. Clijsters’ game was built on a mix of aggression and finesse, with deep groundstrokes, strategic placement, and a natural touch at the net. Known as much for her sportsmanship and warm demeanor as for her skills, she won the hearts of fans around the world.

Career Highlights in Detail

  • Turned Pro: 1997
  • Retired: 2007 (first time), returned in 2009, second retirement in 2012, brief return from 2020–2022
  • Singles Titles: 41 (WTA)
  • Doubles Titles: 11 (WTA)
  • Career Prize Money: Over $24.4 million
  • WTA World No. 1 in both singles and doubles (one of very few players to achieve this)

Clijsters’ career is defined by two separate phases of success—her rise in the early 2000s and her astonishing comeback after retirement and motherhood. She became World No. 1 for the first time in 2003 and was a Grand Slam finalist multiple times before her initial retirement. But her comeback in 2009 was historic—within weeks, she won the US Open as an unseeded wildcard and mother, becoming the first to do so.

Grand Slam Titles

  • US Open: 🏆 2005, 2009, 2010
  • Australian Open: 🏆 2011
  • French Open: Finalist (2001, 2003)
  • Wimbledon: Semifinalist (2003, 2006)

Total Grand Slam singles titles: 4
Doubles Grand Slams: 2

  • French Open (2003)
  • Wimbledon (2003) — both with Ai Sugiyama

Olympics

  • Represented Belgium at the 2012 London Olympics
  • Reached the quarterfinals in singles
    Though she didn’t win a medal, her Olympic run was a celebration of her resilience and longevity.

Other Wins & Achievements

  • WTA Tour Championships: 🏆 2002, 2003, 2010
  • Fed Cup: 🏆 Belgium (2001)
  • WTA Comeback Player of the Year: Twice (2005, 2009)
  • WTA Sportsmanship Award: 8 times, more than any other player
  • Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2017

Some Memorable Matches

  1. 2005 US Open Final vs. Mary Pierce

    • After several Grand Slam finals losses, Clijsters finally clinched her first major title, defeating Pierce in straight sets. It was a moment of redemption.

  2. 2009 US Open Final vs. Caroline Wozniacki

    • Having just returned from retirement and entering the tournament as a wildcard, Clijsters won her second US Open title—the first mother to win a Grand Slam since 1980.

  3. 2010 US Open Semifinal vs. Venus Williams

    • A dramatic match that Clijsters won 4–6, 7–6, 6–4, displaying incredible resilience and mental strength.

  4. 2011 Australian Open Final vs. Li Na

    • Clijsters won her fourth and final major title, showing that her game was still elite despite multiple career interruptions.

Legacy & Write-Up

Kim Clijsters' legacy is defined not just by trophies, but by courage, comeback, and class. She showed the tennis world that it's possible to walk away at the top, return stronger, and balance motherhood with elite sport. Her groundbreaking 2009 US Open title as a mother broke stereotypes and inspired countless athletes.

She is admired globally for her grace on and off the court, winning fans through honesty, humility, and fairness. Whether hugging opponents at the net or sharing laughter with ball kids, Clijsters reminded everyone that greatness is measured as much by character as by championships.

In her, the world saw a champion who competed fiercely yet loved the game deeply—and never let victory cost her kindness.

Kim Clijsters is more than a four-time Grand Slam winner—she is a symbol of resilience, respect, and reinvention, a true role model whose story continues to inspire generations beyond tennis.

Watch below Kim Clijsters historic win highlights of 2009 US Open final 

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