Clijsters completes dream comeback
KIM CLIJSTERS completed an amazing return to Grand Slam tennis with victory at the US Open – and then admitted that winning wasn’t part of the plan.
The Belgian, 26, was playing in her first major after coming out of a 27-month retirement in August.
And she created history by becoming the first ever wild card champion after beating Dane Caroline Woznaicki 7-5, 6-3 in yesterday morning’s final.
Clijsters was playing in only her 14th match and third tournament since rejoining the Tour after giving birth to daughter Jada, who was there to see her become the first mother to lift the trophy since Evonne Goolagong-Cawley in 1980.
“This has been so exciting for me,” said Clijsters, who climbs back up to 19th in the world rankings. “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.”
Clijsters sank to her knees in tears after securing victory and then headed straight to the stands to celebrate with Jada and the rest of her family.
“I don’t have words for how I’m feeling,” she added. “It’s been so exciting for me. The support I’ve received has been crazy.”