Kim Clijsters was officially initiated into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport on Saturday. It is in a museum on Rhode Island in the United States. The ceremony took place during the ATP Tennis tournament.
Kim Clijsters was on the list of members chosen for 2017, which was revealed during the Australian Open back in January. The Belgian former world number one admitted the event was “emotional” on Saturday. “It’s almost like your whole childhood and your whole life goes through your head”, the Limburg resident said. She is 33 today, and her career ended in 2012.
Kim Clijsters is the second Belgian woman to be put in the “Honours Palace”, after Justine Henin was initiated last year.
Clijsters was awarded on the court at Newport on Saturday, with the American Andy Roddick. Roddick is a former world number one and winner of the 2003 US Open. Joining them was Monique Kalkman, a four times Paralympic medallist.
The Tennis Hall of fame has existed since 1955. To enter as a player, you have to have stopped playing for more than five years and have had a remarkable international career, reputed for “integrity, character, and fair play”.
Kim Clijsters won 41 WTA titles, including 4 Grand Slams, the 2011 Australian Open, and the 2005, 2009 and 2010 US Opens. She reached the final of the Roland-Garros twice, and the semi-final of Wimbledon twice. She was world number one for 20 weeks (10 between August and October 2003, 2 between October and November 2003, 7 between January and March 200- and one between the 14th and 20th of February 2011).
(Source: Belga)
