Clijsters taken aback by glorious return

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:48

Clijsters, 26 and playing on a wild card invitation from the organising United States Tennis Association, defeated ninth seed Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark 7-5 6-3 at Arthur Ashe Stadium in just the 14th match and third tournament since coming out of a 27-month retirement during which she became a mother for the first time.

“This has been so exciting for me,” Clijsters said.

“This was not really our plan. I just wanted to start three tournaments just to get back into the rhythm of playing tennis and get used to the surroundings.

“So I have to thank the USTA for giving me the wild card to come back here.”

Her 18-month-old daughter Jada was in the stadium to see Clijsters become the first mother to win a grand slam since Evonne Goolagong Cawley beat Chris Evert to win Wimbledon in 1980.

The toddler stole the show from her mother at the post-trophy presentation photocall on the court and Clijsters said: “We tried to plan her naptime a little bit later in the day so she could be here.

“It’s the greatest feeling in the world being a mother and I just can’t wait to spend the next few weeks with her back in routine schedule with her at home again.”

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