Kim Clijsters, the three-time US Open champion who serves as president of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, sat down with Tennis Channel during this year’s tournament to reflect on her storied career, her role in preserving tennis history, and her thoughts on the game’s future.
She recalled that what sticks with her when she returns to the U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows isn’t the trophies but memories from her junior days. “I do. I think, weirdly enough, it’s not the wins. It’s my junior years,” Clijsters said. She remembered sneaking into center court to watch Pat Rafter win a title because junior badges wouldn’t grant them entry, a moment she cherishes as much as any victory.
This year, she’s sharing the experience with her son, Jack. “Our middle child is here with me, Jack, so I’ll take him around and show him some things while I’m here,” she noted.
Clijsters also revisited the remarkable 2005 US Open, a week of preparation and unlikely triumph. She explained that her then-boyfriend’s schedule allowed her to train aggressively at a time when he and his wife were visiting New York, and the result was a surprise championship. “It was a weird moment because he was like, ‘Yeah, I’m going to take the week off.’ … So I just decided to get a bucket of balls and train and work out. And it worked. I ended up winning. That was 20 years ago.”
In her current role as president, she underscored how meaningful the Hall of Fame weekend was, describing it as emotional and filled with surprises. The highlight for her was Serena Williams’ unaired appearance, a moment she says was incredibly special. “This was a huge moment, seeing Serena walk out and surprise everybody there.” She also noted the secrecy surrounding the reveal, learning afterward that organizers had used a code name for Serena in planning discussions, calling her Madonna in group calls.
Clijsters also recalled her final US Open in 2012, a night she capped with a jovial twist. After playing her last match, she joined the Tennis Channel team on set and admits, with a laugh, that she was a little tipsy. “Champagne. I was drunk,” she said, describing the celebratory moment after a long day of competition and media duties.
Reflecting on memorabilia, Clijsters highlighted a collaboration marking Babolat’s 150th anniversary with a tribute to Rafael Nadal. Babolat arranged 92 rackets for Nadal’s 92 titles, and the 60th racket—his first US Open win—will be donated to the Hall of Fame. She pointed out that Nadal is set to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, with fans able to see the donated racket in the museum.
Looking ahead to the 2025 US Open, Clijsters offered a glimpse into her viewing routine and her picks. “The Tennis Channel is on all the time at my house—whether I’m cooking or doing homework with the kids, it’s always on in the background,” she said. When pressed for predictions, she chose Naomi Osaka on the women’s side, hoping for another mother to win, and favored Jannik Sinner on the men’s side.
Extra context and takeaways:
– Clijsters’ anecdotes illustrate how personal memories and family moments intersect with elite sport, underscoring her ongoing commitment to both performance and legacy.
– The Serena Williams reveal’s secrecy demonstrates how closely organizers guard historic moments as they shape tennis history in real time.
– The Nadal/Babolat collaboration highlights how memorabilia and anniversaries contribute to a living museum of tennis, reinforcing the sport’s historical narrative for fans and future generations.
– Clijsters’ emphasis on multi-generational engagement (her son at the event, her own daughter in earlier memories) reflects a broader trend of families becoming more central to major tennis moments.
Summary:
Kim Clijsters reflects on a career defined by memorable junior experiences, a famous 2005 US Open breakout, leadership of the Hall of Fame, and enduring ties to the sport’s history. She recalls Serena Williams’ surprise appearance, her tipsy post-match TV moment, and a tribute to Rafael Nadal’s milestone with Babolat, while also sharing hopeful predictions for Naomi Osaka and Jannik Sinner in the 2025 US Open.
Positive takeaway:
Clijsters’ story blends achievement with mentorship and preservation of tennis heritage, underscoring a hopeful view of the sport’s future by celebrating its past while looking ahead to the next generation.