Kim Clijsters ‘ready for new adventures’ after retiring from tennis for a third time
Kim Clijsters has announced her retirement from the sport for a third time after her most recent comeback was thwarted multiple times in the past two years.
The former world number one declared she would return to the tour in 2019 before appearing in her first tournament for more than seven years at the Dubai Tennis Championships in February 2020.
However, the ensuing two years for Clijsters were heavily hampered by the pandemic, with the four-time Slam champion admitting her original two-year plan was torn up in the wake of the outbreak.
She posted on Instagram: “I want to share with you that I have decided to no longer play official tournaments.
“I can’t wait to see what new adventures will cross my path. Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the past two years!”
Clijsters underwent knee surgery and contracted Covid during this final comeback, factors that meant the 38-year-old played just five matches over five events in two years.
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Clijsters first reached the top of the WTA rankings in August 2003, becoming the first Belgian number one ever, man or woman, before compatriot Justine Henin took over 10 weeks later.
She went on to accumulate 20 weeks as world number one over four spells, claiming three US Open titles and an Australian Open crown along the way.
Clijsters and Henin earlier led their nation to a Fed Cup triumph in 2001 and later reached another final in 2006, Belgium’s only two appearances in the championship tie of the women’s international event.
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