2011 could be the last year for Kim Clijsters career
Former world number one Kim Clijsters has said that 2011 could be her last full year on the tennis tour. Clijsters announced her retirement in May 2007 for the reasons of injuries but returned to the professional tour in late 2009.
The 27-year old Belgian expressed her views in a press conference before her Australian Open final. She was asked whether this would be her last appearance on the Australian courts and she replied in affirmation.
“I know this is probably going to be my last full season on the tour, and then we’ll see,” said the Belgian mother.
Her illustrious career is spot lighted with three Grand Slam victories, plus 11 WTA doubles titles and 40 of the singles titles. All of her Grand Slam triumphs were o the American soil, winning the US Open in 2005, 2009 and 2010.
She won the French Open and the Wimbledon in doubles category in 2003.
The Belgian is well known for crafting excellent ground strokes from her powerful backhand from all over the court and is habitual of converting an apparent winner into a power clout to the corners of the opponent’s court. Though
her backhand is predominant in her game play, her forehand stroke is considered to be one of the most powerful forehand among tennis women. Yet there are some flaws in her technique and she often commits multiple unforced errors. Her all-court defence is exemplary
for other female players and her agility, along with brilliant athleticism, lifts her high above all the rest.
The brittleness of her mental approach was considered to be the greatest of the weaknesses this Belgian possessed. At many different occasions she gain significant leads over her competitors and then let them go in no time. She
lost a number of matches in this fashion, making her fragile for her opponents.
Her tennis psychology had significantly improved since her victory of US Open in 2005, managing better control over her nerves and not getting carried away by the arousal activation. Mentally beating Kim Clijsters and Serena Williams
is considered to be the toughest task by their fellow tennis players. Kim had mastered now to rise to the occasion and deliver the best out of her at the required times.
Apart from tennis, Kim Clijsters is adored by tennis fans for her temperament and the grace she displays while on court. She earned herself the WTA Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship Award for seven times and also the WTA Player Service
Award for three times.
Clijsters announced her first retirement on 6 May 2007 while she was carrying good form. She had won the Watson Water Challenge in Hong Kong, and made her way to the semi-finals of the Australian Open, where she was defeated by
Maria Sharapova. She defeated a number of top-class female tennis stars during the year, including Jie Zheng, , Jelena Jankovic, Martina Hingis, Ana Ivanovic, Patty Schnyder and top ranked Maria Sharapova at different venues during the year.
After losing to Amelie Mauresm in the final of the Diamond Games 2007, the Belgian told her fans that she would not be playing the French Open and the US Open as well. That left Wimbledon to be her last Grand Slam competition.
See further lost the Sony Ericsson Open and a clay tournament at Warsaw, where she failed to defend her crown.
For the reason of injuries, Kim finally said farewell to professional tennis on 6thmay 2007.
After a break of more than two years, the Belgian Mom hit the tennis world once more on 11 August 2009, and with a wild card entry into the US Open, she won the tournament to everyone’s surprise. She successfully defended her title
in the next year as well.
Stakes are high for Clijsters and it is hoped that she will be able to overcome her Chinese competitor, Li Na, in the final of the Australian Open and register her first ever triumph at the Melbourne Park.
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