Tennis world honours Kim Clijsters

Five years after ending her sporting career, Kim Clijsters is receiving the highest honour in tennis. A committee of journalists, sports historians and former top athletes has given the Limburg tennis player a spot in the International Tennis Hall of Fame as of 2017. Only athletes who have ended their professional career for at least five years qualify. The jury is awarding Clijsters for her integrity, character and fair play. Following Justine Henin, she is the second female Belgian player to receive a place in the hall of fame.

Kim Clijsters is one of the six women ever who have reached first place in both singles and doubles. She also won four individual Grand Slams, of which three were after she made her comeback in 2009. In total, Clijsters has won 34 singles tournaments and 11 doubles tournaments. Because of her sporting successes, but also thanks to her spontaneous character, she became one of the most loved female players in tennis. She also still shares the record of Belgian Female Athlete of the Year with judoka Ingrid Berghmans.