Kim Clijsters

The comeback queen — retired, raised a family, returned as a wildcard and won the 2009 US Open as a new mother.

Kim Clijsters was born in Bilzen, Belgium in 1983, the daughter of former international footballer Lei Clijsters, and turned professional in 1997. She won 4 Grand Slam singles titles — 3 US Opens (2005, 2009, 2010) and the 2011 Australian Open — and 41 WTA titles with a career win percentage of 78%. She held the world number one ranking for 20 weeks. She won the WTA Finals three consecutive times (2002, 2003, 2004). She retired in 2007 to start a family, returning in August 2009 as an unranked wildcard at the US Open — and immediately won the tournament, defeating Serena Williams in the semi-final and Caroline Wozniacki in the final. She became the first mother to win a Grand Slam singles title in the Open Era and the first wildcard to win the US Open. She won the 2010 US Open and 2011 Australian Open after her comeback. She was Belgian Sportswoman of the Year 5 times. She made a second comeback in 2020 but was limited by injuries, retiring permanently in 2022. Her athleticism, two-handed backhand and court coverage were exceptional across three decades of elite tennis.

Clijsters was renowned for her exceptional athleticism, court coverage, and defensive abilities that could turn defense into attack. She possessed powerful groundstrokes from both wings and was particularly effective with her backhand down the line. Her fitness level and ability to retrieve seemingly impossible shots made her one of the most formidable competitors on tour.

Clijsters proved that motherhood and elite tennis could coexist, inspiring a generation of female athletes by winning three Grand Slams after becoming a mother.

• US Open 2005, 2009, 2010 (3 titles)
• Australian Open 2011
• Year-end No.1 2003, 2011
• WTA Finals 2002, 2003, 2004
• Comeback: First mother to win a Grand Slam (2009 US Open)
• Belgian Sportswoman of Year 5x