May 23, 2012 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg
This year’s U.S. Open will be the last for former world number one-ranked Kim Clijsters of Belgium. Clijsters has announced that she plans on retiring after the event. She initially retired in 2007 due to a hip injury, but returned in 2009 to win her second U.S. Open title that year. Earlier this year, Clijsters had already announced this would be her last season.
"As it stands, I will end my career at the U.S Open," said Clijsters. "That is where I enjoyed my greatest triumphs and it is a very special place for me." She is a three-time champion in Flushing Meadows, winning the tournament in 2005, 2009 and 2010.
A hip injury has forced Clijsters to skip the entire 2012 clay court season, but she hopes to continue to play at Wimbledon and the upcoming 2012 London Olympics.
