Time to Say Goodbye: Kim Takes Final Bow

For almost two decades, Kim Clijsters has been wearing her heart on her sleeve on the tennis courts, winning not only tennis matches, but also a legion of fans all over the world. She lived her career to the fullest, experiencing success and failure, but constantly evolving to ultimately become one of the most loved and inspiring champions of all time. Although she stopped at the peak of her prime to start a family and have a baby, her love for the sport shone through and, in 2009, she starred in one of the most sensational comebacks the sport has ever witnessed. But, as they say, all good things must come to an end, and, following her second round loss to young star Laura Robson, Kim is now taking her final bow, having stepped into retirement at the end of the US Open.

A prodigious junior, Kim made headlines at the 1999 Flushing Meadows where she was a few points from stunning eventual champion, Serena Williams, in the third round. She also won her maiden WTA title that year, in Luxembourg, overcoming compatriot Dominique Van Roost in the final. Her major breakthrough though came at the 2001 French Open, where she made it all the way to the final. After disposing of compatriot Justine Henin in the semis, Kim pushed American Jennifer Capriati to the very end, before losing in dramatic fashion 12-10 in the decider. 

An extraterrestrial 2003 season, in which she got to the semifinals or better in 20 of the 21 tournaments she entered, propelled her to world No.1. On August 4th Kim became the first Belgian, man or female, to top the rankings. However, it was her arch-rivals, Justine Henin and Serena Williams, who divided the glory, winning two Grand Slams each. Nevertheless, Clijsters backed up the phenomenal singles season with an impressive year in doubles where she also got to world No.1, following victories at Roland Garros and Wimbledon with good friend, Japanese Ai Sugiyama.

After a few more missed opportunities, Kim has finally won the elusive Slam at the 2005 US Open. While many were questioning her legitimacy at the top of the rankings, the Belgian keep believing in herself, and, at the end of yet another incredible summer, she slammed the critics by beating Mary Pierce to crown herself the New York queen.

Injuries took their toll, and, desiring to start a family with basketball player Brian Lynch, Kim decided to quit the sport in the spring of 2007 while ranked No.4. After a few years spent away from the tennis courts, tough mamma Clijsters made an emphatic comeback in 2009. In only her third tournament back, the Belgian stunned both Williams sisters, as well as new queen-to-be, Dane Caroline Wozniacki, to win the second Grand Slam under the New York lights in Flushing Meadows. Images of her sharing the special moment with young daughter Jada made the delight of the world, as Kim's popularity skyrocketed. She would go on to successfully defend her crown in 2010 by crushing Russian Vera Zvonareva in the final. 

One of the most emotional triumphs of her career came in 2011 at the Australian Open. Nicknamed 'Aussie Kim' back when she was dating Australia's golden child, Lleyton Hewitt, Clijsters finally fulfilled the prophecy, overcoming Na Li's stiff resilience to win in Melbourne. A few weeks later, in Paris, the Belgian regained the world No.1 spot from Wozniacki, becoming the first mom to top the WTA rankings.
Title #41 obtained at the Australian Open would be the last of her career, as a long set of injuries kept the Belgian away from the court, restraining even more her limited schedule. Kim did get to play the Olympics, one of the main objectives of her return to the tour, but was denied the dream, as poor form and lack of matches saw her succumb to Maria Sharapova in the quarterfinals.

Kim's career has been very closely connected to that of her compatriot, Justine Henin. The two Belgians have played catch-ups since early ages, developing one of the most legendary rivalries of the Open Era. These two extremely gifted champions have always pushed each other. Their careers followed similar paths, so in a way it feels natural that now, after Justine quit for a second time in 2011, Clijsters would go on and hang up the racquet for good.
Kim Clijsters, one of the most emblematic figures of the women's tennis ever, leaves behind an impressive legacy. Thank you Kimmie for all the wonderful lessons you thought us on- and off-court, as well as for all the emotional moments you gave us through the years! You will be missed!

A look back at Kim's golden career

ROLAND GARROS 2001: Clijsters became the first Belgian, man or female, to reach a Grand Slam final after overcoming her compatriot Justine Henin in a tough semifinal clash at the French Open.

ROLAND GARROS 2001: Playing in her first Grand Slam final, Clijsters was really close to winning the title, as she pushed American Jennifer Capriati all the way, before finally succumbing 12-10 in the decider.

FED CUP 2001: Kim teamed up with Justine Henin to win Belgium's first, and so far only, Fed Cup trophy.

MASTERS 2002: Kim stunned Serena Williams to win her first WTA Championships.

ROLAND GARROS 2003: In a rematch of their epic 2001 semifinal encounter, Justine Henin extracted revenge on her compatriot, preventing Kim from sealing her first French Open title in two attempts. Justine became the first Belgian to win a Grand Slam.

ROLAND GARROS 2003: Clijsters teamed up with good friend, Ai Sugiyama, to win her first Grand Slam crown.

WIMBLEDON 2003: Kim and Ai quickly became the world's best doubles team. They followed up on their success at the French with a sensational run at Wimbledon, where they won their second consecutive Grand Slam title.

On August 4th 2003 Kim Clijsters became the world No.1 in singles. She was again the first Belgian in history, man or female, to top the rankings.

US OPEN 2003: Although she was ranked No.1 in both singles and doubles, Kim once again fell to her nemesis, Justine Henin, in the US Open final.

MASTERS 2003: Kim successfully defended her WTA Championships title, cruising past Amelie Mauresmo 6-2,6-0.

US OPEN 2005: It's been a long time coming, but Kim finally won the elusive Grand Slam crown in Flushing Meadows.

US OPEN 2005: Clijsters tasted the sweetest victory of her career, beating Mary Pierce 6-3,6-1 to crown herself as the queen of New York.

US Open 2009: Two months after making a comeback to the tour, Kim Clijsters crowned herself the New York queen following her second major title in Flushing Meadows. The Belgian overcame both Williams sisters before ending Wozniacki's dream run to the final.

2009: Kim's story inspired arch-rival Justine Henin to also make a comeback and their rivalry was quickly restored. However this time it was Clijsters that held the upper hand. The two Belgians met three times in 2009, at Brisbane, Miami, and Wimbledon and all those clashes were won by Kim.

US OPEN 2012: Kim proved she is no fluke, successfully defending her US Open title. In the final she crushed Russian Vera Zvonareva 6-2,6-1. New York has become her playground.

MASTERS 2010: Kim ended the 2010 season in style, overcoming world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki to claim her third WTA Championships crown.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2011: Kim fulfilled the prophecy and became 'Aussie Kim' by winning the Australian Open after a tough three sets victory over Chinese Na Li. This was Clijsters' fourth and last Grand Slam trophy.

PARIS 2011: Although she lost the final to Czech Petra Kvitova, Kim made an emphatic return to world No.1, a position she hold for just one week. With this she achieved the missing piece of her otherwise stunning comeback.

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