Kim Clijsters

Kim Clijsters was a professional tennis player on the WTA before retiring in August 2012. She was born in Bree, Belgium in 1983 and managed to become the number one ranked player in her sport for a period in both singles and doubles.

The Belgian finished with four Grand Slam singles titles with three US Opens and an Australian Open to her name. She also won a doubles titles at the French Open and Wimbledon.

Clijsters turned professional in 1997 but had to wait until 1999 for her maiden WTA title, which came in Luxembourg. At the end of that season she was voted as the WTA's Most
Impressive Newcomer.

In 2001 the Belgian made it through to the final of the French Open. She was beaten by Jennifer Capriati over three sets, with the final lasting 22 games.

The right-handed European won the WTA Tour Championship in 2002 and 2003. Those wins helped her secure the number one in the world rankings. 

It wasn't until the 2005 US Open though, that her first Grand Slam arrived. She was making her fifth appearance in a Grand Slam final after four previous losses. This time she was able to defeat Mary Pierce 6-3 6-1 to lift the trophy.

In 2007 Clijsters announced her immediate retirement from the sport due to a number of injuries that were keeping her off the court. Two years later though, she returned to the WTA and secured her second US Open. On this occasion she picked up the win in the final against Caroline Wozniacki in a straight sets success. 

The Belgian defended her title in 2010 at Flushing Meadows to land the final Grand Slam of the season for the third time. It was a comprehensive victory over Russia's Vera Zvonareva 6-2 6-1.

Clijsters started 2011 by winning her fourth Grand Slam and her first in the Australian Open. She had to come from a set down in the final to Li Na of China. After losing the opening set 3-6 she was able to win both of the next two sets 6-3.

On August 29, 2012, the former world number one retired once again after a loss to Laura Robson in the second round of the US Open. 
Clijsters finished her career with a total of 41 WTA singles titles and 11 WTA doubles titles. She was also successful for the Belgium national team in the 2011 Fed Cup.

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