Belgium’s Kim Clijsters announces her retirement from the sport

Kim Clijsters has announced that for a third time in her career she will be retiring from the sport.

The four-time Grand Slam champion announced in 2007 that she would be stepping away from the sport as a 23-year-old, but surprised everybody two years later when after two years away from tennis due to the birth of her daughter, she would be picking up a racket and playing competitive tennis again.

During the three years she was back on court she won back to back US Open titles as well as the Australian Open.

She retired once again back in 2012 after the US Open, only to return again back in February 2020 at the Dubai Duty Free Championships, but suffered defeat against Garbine Muguruza

Her comeback was halted by the Covid-19 pandemic along with a knee problem which eventually required surgery.

Since her return the 37-year-old has played just five matches, which have all ended in defeat. Her last match was at Indian Wells back in October

Clijsters won 41 titles in total and held the title of World No. 1 on four separate occasions, and was successful three times at the season ending WTA Finals.

She has three children and currently resides in New Jersey having moved from her native Belgium.

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