Kim Clijsters ousts Venus Williams in a ceremonial farewell match – Tennis News
Belgian professional, Kim Clijsters, marked an emphatic end to her tennis career after winning a ceremonial farewell match at her home. She rallied past her rival, Venus Williams, bagging a straight sets victory, 6-3, 6-3, on Wednesday.
In a post match interview, Clijsters said, “I had no regrets at stopping my career on August 29 at the US Open, and I still don't have any. Sorry to stop you. There's not just tennis in my life. I like cooking, gardening, reading,
decorating the house, putting up the Christmas tree and running.”
The former world number one in 2011, Clijsters, had remarkable tennis career as she has proved to be one of the greatest WTA professionals. She managed to bag a decent ranking irrespective of her inconsistency, as she took a break
from competitive tennis on announcing an early retirement. She has won on the hard courts of the Flushing Meadows in the year 2005 and secured her win at the Australian Open in 2011.
The 29-year-old started her 2012 season at a reasonable pace and withdrew from the semi-final round of the Brisbane International held in Australia. She battled until the semi-final of the Australian Open to the reigning world
number one, Victoria Azarenka. She faced tough competitors like Daniela Hantuchova, Li Na and Caroline Wozniacki.
She picked a good momentum at the green grass courts of All England Club. She preserved her superior experience and battled through all the rounds, nudging past all the seeded professionals in straight sets. She lost at the hands
of the German, Angelique Kerber. In the quarter-finals of the London Olympics, she made it until the quarter-finals. She outmuscled the Serbian, Ana Ivanovic, but in the end lost at the hands of Russian beauty, Maria Sharapova.
The right-hander Belgian contestant finally retired after the US Open 2012. She thanked her wonderful fans, who showed up to 13000 for her match at the Antwerp Sports Palace including the Crown Prince Phillipe and Princess Mathilde.
In the first round, she gave a straight sets upset to Victoria Duval and to finished lost at the hands of the emerging tennis star, Laura Robson.
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