[Eunatis]

(part of a much larger article. If you're a fan, this is a MUST read. And credit to Craighickman, who called it first, I beleive, that Lei's death would drive her back to the game)


Kim Clijsters excited by return to the circuit
May 15, 2009

It is not often that a wild card into Wimbledon is rebuffed, however polite the refusal. When Tim Phillips, the chairman of the All England Club, saw Kim Clijsters in the grounds yesterday, he asked if she would like to play in the championships this year as a special invitee, but she is not ready just yet.

On Sunday, the Belgian will gladly participate in the celebration designed to raise the Centre Court roof. That will be enough nervous excitement on a grass court for a while.

The former world No 1 has barely spoken about her return to the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, announced just over a year after the birth of Jade, her daughter, and four months since the death of Leo, her father and spiritual mentor. The plan is for the 25-year-old to recommence competition in Cincinnati in August before the US Open, the lone grand-slam title she won in 2005. But it is a decision she would not have come to had she been so contented by motherhood, if her father had beaten the cancer and, imperatively, had the invitation to this weekend’s jolly not arrived, out of the blue.

“It is true to say the ‘click’ came when Wimbledon asked if I would play in the roof celebration,” Clijsters said. “I had been hitting a few balls but nothing serious. I was trying to get my mind back together after a year spent constantly caring for my father. I wish, of course, he could have lived for another ten years or more, but when he passed away I wanted to get back on court and see how it felt.

“When the call came, I had something to work towards, I needed to get back into shape, to set a few goals. Then I discovered I was actually enjoying it. Of course, this would not be possible without the support of Brian, my husband, and neither of us know how we’re going to cope, travelling again, living out of an hotel. When I played before, I did everything that was convenient for me. Now I have other people to consider. It is about striking the balance between being a wife, a mother and a tennis player.”

Clijsters had maintained a dialogue with Lindsay Davenport, the former world No 1 and Wimbledon champion, who also “retired” to have a baby, mostly sending messages about dealing with pregnancy and exchanging baby photos. The conversation began to become a touch more serious when a return to the tour developed into a viable option.

“A lot of questions popped into my mind, mostly about rules and regulations, how much I’d need to play, who might I turn to for help, how much at ease I would feel about coming back,” Clijsters said. “I never used to be much of a planner, I took everything pretty much as it came, but now there’s when to eat, when to sleep, when to feed.

“I don’t want to be seen as a powerful woman who is doing anything superhuman, but it is nice to show it is possible to have children and still have a professional sports career. The old-fashioned image is of a mother staying at home to take care of the children, but things are changing. I know there will be a lot of attention because of the career I had and I suppose people are bound to compare. I’m just intrigued as to how much I’ll enjoy it.

“In the 2½ years I have been away, I was married, fell pregnant, my daughter was born, my dad became sick. I didn’t have a chance to miss it. I would not change much of what has happened, I was so happy my dad got to see his grandchild, that was very special. I got to read James Blake’s book [Breaking Back - How I Lost Everything and Won Back My Life], which talks so vividly about how he coped with the loss of his father. It was incredible to find out so much more about someone I saw a lot but didn’t really know at all.”

One thing for sure is that Clijsters’s return will be an energising fillip for the women’s game, one struggling for headline talents and dominated, in the present cycle, by the men and their marvels, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray. The smile on everyone’s face when Clijsters’s return is mentioned is enough of an indication of her universal esteem.

The initial steps on Centre Court on Sunday will be tentative, and she accepts that. “The court looked beautiful today and the roof is unlike any other I have seen,” she said. “In Australia, it felt as if the world was closing in on you, but there is so much natural light under this roof, you don’t feel as if you are under cover at all.”


http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...cle6289074.ece

[Eunatis]

I know I've said it before, but I am just so positively excited for Kim's return. Love watching her play, love hearing her talk. Love the athleticism, love the defense, love the splits. Can't wait to see her in July.

And personally, I'd love to know who, (if anyone) besides Kim has turned down a WC into Wimbledon.

[Plonnikas]

Maybe she'll be less of a headcase when she returns. That would be nice.

I wish her nothing but success if she does.

[Ephedrine]

[cemDrymnVem]

[quote=Moose;443781](part of a much larger article. If you're a fan, this is a MUST read. And credit to Craighickman, who called it first, I beleive, that Lei's death would drive her back to the game)


Kim Clijsters excited by return to the circuit
May 15, 2009


One thing for sure is that Clijsters’s return will be an energising fillip for the women’s game, one struggling for headline talents and dominated, in the present cycle, by the men and their marvels, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray.


My editorial comment: If this were published anywhere but the UK, would those three names be listed as "the marvels".

[Uhmavano]

[QUOTE=winston;443813]

(part of a much larger article. If you're a fan, this is a MUST read. And credit to Craighickman, who called it first, I beleive, that Lei's death would drive her back to the game)


Kim Clijsters excited by return to the circuit
May 15, 2009


One thing for sure is that Clijsters’s return will be an energising fillip for the women’s game, one struggling for headline talents and dominated, in the present cycle, by the men and their marvels, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray.


My editorial comment: If this were published anywhere but the UK, would those three names be listed as "the marvels".

No.

[yxn2dC07]

I'm shocked. A WC to Wimbledon turned down!!! Still, if she is planning a come-back, at least she is doing it on HER terms and not just recklessly jumping into the competition and dumping tons of pressure on herself. Way to Go Kimmie!

Thanks for posting this Moose aka BigKimmieLover

[Carfanate]

I'm not really surprised, though.

She planned out her timeline for her return and it would do her no favors to really jump back in earlier than her conditioning plan had allowed for. I actually think it was a little unfair and selfish for them to offer the WC.

[cemDrymnVem]

I'm not really surprised, though.

She planned out her timeline for her return and it would do her no favors to really jump back in earlier than her conditioning plan had allowed for. I actually think it was a little unfair and selfish for them to offer the WC.

One thing I learned a long time ago -- it's always better to offer/ask and let them make the decision than to assume they wouldn't want it. I got into BIG trouble while trying to be kind/thoughtful/protective to someone who would have been perfect for a given project but who I knew was already terribly busy. When she heard about it -- well, just say my ears were still ringing a week later.

[Carfanate]

One thing I learned a long time ago -- it's always better to offer/ask and let them make the decision than to assume they wouldn't want it. I got into BIG trouble while trying to be kind/thoughtful/protective to someone who would have been perfect for a given project but who I knew was already terribly busy. When she heard about it -- well, just say my ears were still ringing a week later.

Fair enough. Still, with a draw like Kimmie I doubt polite consideration was the first motivation.

[BigBobdd]

Let her gradually make the transition. WCs are not what they are cracked up to be. I hope she makes a decent go of it. I still think that she will have to improve her mental attitude, as well as her conditioning. We all know she is a great athlete. But she tended let herself down in key moments mentally.

[Luisabens]

What if?

[Gubocang]

What if?

Kim would have lost. (Let's not go crazy here. Don't think that Kim has earned the right to be annointed as The World Beater just yet. Plus the Sisters are, ahem, pretty strong on grass.)

[SannyGlow]

Kim would have lost. (Let's not go crazy here. Don't think that Kim has earned the right to be annointed as The World Beater just yet. Plus the Sisters are, ahem, pretty strong on grass.)

True. Kim would have lost even if it were Wimbledon 2010.

[urbalatte]

Kim would have lost. (Let's not go crazy here. Don't think that Kim has earned the right to be annointed as The World Beater just yet. Plus the Sisters are, ahem, pretty strong on grass.)

So, you are saying they are not that strong on hard court? Because, well they both got beaten by Kim at US Open.

[Ikhqgvas]

So, you are saying they are not that strong on hard court? Because, well they both got beaten by Kim at US Open.

They're surely strong on hard, but they're virtually unbeatable on grass.

[urbalatte]

They're surely strong on hard, but they're virtually unbeatable on grass.

Elena Dementieva was this close to beating Serena at Wimbledon this year. If she can almost do it, I am sure Kim can do it as well.

Venus is incredibly tough on grass with that I agree. (Until she faces her sister and melts down, but that's a different story).

[Gubocang]

So, you are saying they are not that strong on hard court? Because, well they both got beaten by Kim at US Open.

Venus was injured. So there. Harumph.


Even if Kim coulda won anyways. Will NEVER understand how V became such a comparative US Open non-factor.

[Eunatis]

Will NEVER understand how V became such a comparative US Open non-factor.

I'm still waiting for someone to explain how a 2X U.S. Open champion can go 7 years without winning a Summer hardcourt event. I think that is one of the most enigmatic statistics in women's tennis.

[Gubocang]

I'm still waiting for someone to explain how a 2X U.S. Open champion can go 7 years without winning a Summer hardcourt event. I think that is one of the most enigmatic statistics in women's tennis.

And one that brings us V fans SO much joy.

(HEY- but she did win the end of year championships last year- even if that doesn't exactly qualify as a summer triumph....)