Kim Clijsters is used to riding storms.
In 2009, Clijsters, the affable Belgian, calmly waited for a furious rant from Serena Williams in the United States Open semifinals that ultimately cost Williams a match point penalty and sent Clijsters to the final. The next day, she won the second of her three US Open championships, less than a year after returning to the tour following the birth of her first child. He won the title again in 2010 before retiring in 2012.
Now, the Hall of Famer and former World Number 1 is back for a third round. She returned to the WTA Tour in February, losing two close encounters in the first round, only to be stopped by the pandemic and then a tropical storm in Jersey Shore city where she, her husband, basketball manager Brian Lynch and their three children. live part time. The following interview has been edited and condensed.
First the pandemic, then the storm. Is your return cursed or did you enjoy your free time?
Since Brian is always coaching or at games, this was the first time we were all together, like every minute of every day. The first few weeks I was super motivated. I cleaned my closets, checked all my children’s clothes, organized everything, redone the pantry. Then I hit a wall and it was like, “Why was I in my pajamas all day?” or “Hmm, maybe I should take a shower.”
It’s been 17 years since you first climbed to number 1. Almost half a lifetime ago.
Seems like a different life, to be honest. It was all very innocent. I loved what I was doing, I loved traveling the world, going to these new places, being on tour with women I was watching on TV. But I also think it was a good thing not to have won my first final at the French Open in 2001. [She lost to Jennifer Capriati 1-6, 6-4, 12-10.] Thinking about it now, I wasn’t going to be ready for everything that comes with a Grand Slam.
