Kim Clijsters - Biography & Images

Kim Antonie Lode Clijsters – born 8 June 1983 – is a Belgian former professional tennis player.

Clijsters reached the world No. 1 ranking in both singles and doubles, having held both rankings simultaneously in 2003. She won six major titles, four in singles and two in doubles.

Clijsters competed professionally from 1997 in an era in which her primary rivals were compatriot Justine Henin and Serena Williams. Coming from a country with limited success in men’s or women’s tennis, Clijsters became the first Belgian player to attain the No. 1 ranking.

Her success at the majors was highlighted by winning three consecutive appearances at the US Open.

Plagued by injuries and having lost some of her desire to compete, Clijsters retired from tennis in 2007 at the age of 23 in order to get married and have a daughter.

She returned to the sport two years later and won her second US Open title as an unranked player in just her third tournament back.

She defended her title the following year and then won the Australian Open in 2011 en route to becoming the first mother to be the world No. 1.

Clijsters retired again following the 2012 US Open. Seven years later, she began a second comeback in early 2020, ending in 2022.

She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2017.