Clijsters firm over quit decision

General / Editor / 13 February 2007 / Leave a Comment

Kim Clijsters has made it clear that this will definitely be her last season on the professional tennis circuit despite the riches up for grabs.

The Belgian star is set to play in front of her home fans at the Diamond Games in Antwerp and victory would mean an automatic invitation next year and the chance to win a diamond-studded racket worth one million euros.

The racket is awarded to any player who wins the title three times in five years and, having won the tournament in 2004, the 23-year-old could be set for a windfall with back-to-back victories.

French star Amelie Mauresmo is in line to win the prize this year, having won the title in 2003 and 2006 and looks in good form coming into the event.

But all eyes will be on Clijsters this time around, who reiterated that 2007 will be her swansong in the sport, and she hopes to take inspiration from Belgium's Davis Cup team, who beat Australia at the weekend to move into the quarter-finals.

"No, I have made my decision and will not change my mind. Even for this," she told Reuters.

"I spent all weekend in bed watching it (Davis Cup) and what an emotional three days and what an inspiration.

"It's always special for a Belgian team in front of their home crowd, just like our Fed Cup team, and the crowd is always amazing."

Clijsters is the 2.8 favourite for the tournament in Belgium, with Mauresmo trading at 3.9 and Nadia Petrova on offer at 4.7.