Comeback Mom. Mother Superior. Super Mom…
No end to epithets.
The 2009 Women’s final was one that I didn’t want to miss, because of Kim Clijsters. And what a victory for this 26-year-old mother of a two-and-a-half year old girl, Jada. The last time a mother won such a major title was in July 1980 when Evonne Goolagong defeated Chris Evert to win the Wimbledon.
Impact of marriage and motherhood on career is a major source of worry for many women. Many women refuse to marry or go in the family way because they are worried that their career would be affected. Many quit well-paying jobs in favour of marriage and motherhood. Kim Clijsters’ victory has amply demonstrated that it’s possible to have the best of both if one is determined.
Only a day before, Clijsters wrote on her Twitter site: “The fairy tale goes on – some how, I’m in the US Open final on Sunday beating both Venus and Serena along the way… am i dreaming???”
No, the 2009 US Open Cup is not a dream for her.
Kim Clijsters, of Belgium, holds her trophy after winning the women's championship over Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. AP Photo/Darron Cummings. (For source of photo, click on photo.)
She had bade a tearful farewell to tennis in 2007. She returned to the circuit only a month back (on August 10 at Cincinnati), and this was only her third match (after playing in Toronto a week later) on her return.
With weather playing truant over Arthur Ashe Stadium, it has been hard to predict the match timings, and I wasn’t quite hopeful if I could see the match live. When I got up at 7.30 am, and switched on the TV, to my delight Clijsters was on her way to winning the first set, 7-5.
The second set went like this: Clijsters – Wozniacki - 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, 3-2, 4-2 (Clijsters broke serve), 5-2 (Clijsters one point away from cup), 5-3 (but Wozniacki makes her wait), 6-3 (Clijsters settles it).
Kim Clijsters, of Belgium, shows her daughter Jada her trophy after winning the women's championship at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. AP Photo/Elise Amendola. (For source of photo, click on photo.)
After the winning shot landed, Clijsters knelt down, bowed to the ground that has meant so much to her. She got up in time to shake hands with Wozniacki and acknowledge the cheers of the crowd.
Tears streamed down Clijsters’ face. She sat on the chair and sunk her face into the towel, as she broke down in joyous disbelief and probably shock on how things had turned around. She went up to the applauding members of her family and circle of friends.
No one meant more than Jada, her daughter, and Brian Lynch, her husband. She returned to her chair, her face radiant with the overwhelming feeling triumph. She kept looking at Jada, smiling and laughing. She was seen signaling that Jada be brought down to the court. She was her same humble self and felicitated Wozniacki for the good match.
The low in Kim’s life
Clijsters always had that reputation of being one of the nicest players on the tennis circuit. In fact, her pleasant demeanour always stood out during her five-year romance with combative, feisty, Australian tennis star Lleyton Hewitt.
They were in fact one of the few high-profile sports couples. The only other one was Jimmy Connors and Chris Evert in the 1970’s. But they didn’t stick together for long. When the world came to know of Andre Agassi’s and Steffi Graf’s union the lady had already quit the game. So the Clijsters-Hewitt pair was a unique one in the tennis circuit.
The romance began after the two met at the Australian Open in 2000. They got engaged in Dec 2004. But within 10 months, the relationship was falling apart.
Sadly, the reasons for it were nothing to do with Kim and Lleyton. Reports pointed towards differences between his father and her mother over arrangements for the wedding in February 2005.
Clijsters’ career dipped after that. Emotionally she was shattered. She was plagued by injuries. There was a time when it was thought that her career had come to an end.
In May 2007, she said an emotional goodbye to tennis and to her Belgian fans who simply adored her.
Kim Clijsters' husband Brian Lynch tries to take their daughter Jada away from Clijsters during trophy presentations at the women's championship at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. Clijsters defeated Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, in two sets. AP Photo/Kathy Willens. (For source of photo, click on photo.)
Meanwhile, Clijsters got married to Brian Lynch, an American basketball player who plays for Antwerp Giants in Belgium, in July 13, 2007, and they had a baby girl on February 27, 2008.
Kim Clijsters of Belgium lifts her daughter Jada after winning the women's championship over Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. AP Photo/Kathy Willens. (For source of photo, click on photo.)
Eddie Pells of the Associated Press reported after the match: “Kim Clijsters cradled the baby in one arm, the trophy in the other. The joy of motherhood. The joy of winning the U.S. Open….”
This is a moment of joy Kim Clijsters will treasure through her life.
Kim Clijsters, of Belgium, poses with her daughter Jada and her husband, Brian Lynch, after winning the women's championship over Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. AP Photo/Darron Cummings. (For source of photo, click on photo.)
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Sep 18, 2009 at 1:56 am
Great moment indeed!. Kim has always been a sweet well-behaved picture of poise in the Aussie open unlike the angry Hewitt. They have been likened to Connors/Evert duo but I personally always thought Hewitt’s game does not have the levels of perfection Connors had. It may also be due to the change in trends from slice and placement to power and speed. Good she has found happiness and kudos as a mum. I’m elated as a woman because she is an inspiration to those who wish to make both home and careers.
(Crossposted from Multiply)
Sep 18, 2009 at 1:57 am
Dear Pradeep,
I dont want to comment on this one.
I only want to say thanks for the post.
fond regards
Jose.
(Crossposted from Multiply)
Sep 18, 2009 at 1:58 am
Great job and impressive focus by the woman. Not easy for most to make a comeback after such a long lay off. Case in point Hingis, Seles, Capriati. None could regain their form or winning streak.
(Crossposted from Multiply)
Sep 19, 2009 at 4:04 am
simply fascinating, that was what it was, and the day that followed – the men’s final an icing on the cake!!