One of WTA Tour’s most likable player once again bids farewell to the sport after the 2012 US Open. Kim Clijsters of Belgium has already stated earlier this year that she will be retiring from the sport for the second time after the Grand Slam event in New York. The former top-ranked Belgian took a break from the sport in 2007 but decided to come back in 2009 and went on to win three more additional Grand Slam singles tournaments in her resume. Here are the quotes from several notable WTA stars including Clijsters with her reaction to be in her last US Open tournament. These quotes were published at the WTA Tour website:
Kim Clijsters: “I’m excited. I’m obviously very excited to be back here after not being able to participate last year due to an injury in my stomach muscle. Obviously this place is magical for me – I have had so many beautiful memories. I’ve enjoyed coming here since I was a junior. I love the surface, I love the atmosphere.
“I’m not thinking about retiring yet though. I’m still focusing on trying to be in the best shape I can be. When I start Monday, I want to be playing well.”
Victoria Azarenka: “I never met Kim before she came back – I was still playing in the juniors, so I never had a chance to play against her. Once she came back I drew her right away in one of her first tournaments, which was fun to play against. What she did after just a few tournaments, to come back and win such a major title, it was definitely very inspiring and an amazing accomplishment. She’s a great role model. She’s always one of the people you like to be around and practice with, and she’s great in the locker room and really great for the fans.
“Obviously a lot of people love her. She’s definitely one everybody is going to miss. I wish her the best. We’ll definitely see the best of Kim here.”
Maria Sharapova: “What’s there to say about Kim? There’s so many great things. She’s been an incredible tennis player and champion and someone who went away from the sport to commit herself to being a mother and a good wife, and then coming back and being a professional and winning a few more Grand Slams. She was always so focused and determined, one of the best athletes women’s tennis has ever seen. And she’s just a really great person – she’s very humble.
“At the end of the day, she’s just a down-to-earth person who reflected on life in a very good way. She always wanted to be a good mother and family was important to her. She had really good values. I really respect that in her.”
Samantha Stosur: “It’s going to be a loss for the tour. She’s obviously been a great player, a great champion and a great role model to a lot of people, out here on the tour and probably to all the kids playing at home. She’s one of those players people like to watch and come out and see. I guess for her she’s decided it’s time – I can imagine this is the perfect place for her to stop, given the success she’s had here in the past. It will be disappointing to see her go though.
“What a great career. She’s still so young and she’s accomplished so much.”
Serena Williams: “She’s had such a fabulous career, especially here at the Open. She just brings some special tennis whenever she comes here. She’s always so bright and has such a positivity about her and you can’t help but wish her the best.”
Venus Williams: “Kim has had a resurgence like no other, winning three majors. I’m sure if she hadn’t had injuries she would have been able to do more and even live more of a dream at the Olympics, when you bring home a medal. I think she’s an inspiration for everyone who has believed if you put your mind to it and have a dream, you can do whatever you want, and do all the things you want.”
