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Home , Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters, Li Na

Tennis India n December, 2012 n 1 injuries as the reason, Clijsters That was the end of Part announced her retirement II of . from in 2007. Just take a look at her career timeline above again! That was the end of Part I Kim Clijsters retired as one of Kim Clijsters. of the best players of our Clijsters became a mother generation and one of the in 2008, giving birth to a baby greatest of all time. She was girl. In a press conference just 29 when her second on 26 March, 2009, Clijsters retirement took place! announced that she was When I look back on returning to professional my favorite female players, tennis. Her third tournament Clijsters makes that list as after her comeback was an awesome tennis player. US Open, where she won She has said goodbye to the title after defeating the professional tennis, but will young always remain in hearts of of Denmark. The world of tennis fans. Kim Clijsters will tennis was in awe! With her forever remain as one of the victory, she came back in the greats. top 20 of the WTA rankings. “It’s been an incredible In the next year, 2010, journey, and a lot of dreams THANKTHANK YOUYOU she won in New York City for me have come true again. Clijsters defeated Vera because of tennis. As a little Zvonareva in the final to hold girl, I got Christmas rackets the US Open trophy for the under the tree and outfits FOR YOUR “SERVICE” ! third time in her career. of and Monica In early 2011, Clijsters Seles, and I would want to won the wear them to bed, I was so singles by beating Na, 3–6, excited,” Clijsters said after Written by Abhijeet Dangat Finally, in 2005, Clijsters 6–3, 6–3. She won the Down her exit from tennis. “So triumphed above all to win Under for the for me to have been able to A Tribute to Wimbledon, losing to her idol She reached the finals of two her first ever Grand-Slam first time. have been a part of women’s Kim Clijsters Steffi Graf. That was just the Grand Slam tournaments, tournament in singles. She After a series of such tennis and on top of women’s beginning for the teenager and US Open. defeated in successful tournaments, tennis for so many years – Two Belgian women rocked from . In next two She lost both the finals to straight sets to lift the trophy. Clijsters was in and out for you don’t think about it when women’s tennis in last de- years, Clijsters worked hard . However, she Clijsters’s dream of winning 18 months. you’re in it; you’re kind of cade- Justin Henin and Kim to achieve success on the won two Grand Slam doubles a Major finally came true! It In early 2012, Clijsters on automatic pilot. Now that Clijsters! Together, they won WTA Tour. titles, French Open and had definitely been a long announced that she is going I think about it, it’s been a 11 Grand Slam singles’ titles. In 2001, Clijsters became Wimbledon with and difficult journey for her, to retire after this year’s US crazy rollercoaster at times, In 2011, Henin announced first Belgian woman to as her partner. Later that but it was well worth it! Open. The US Open, where as well.” Though Clijsters her definitive retirement from reach a final of Grand Slam year, Belgium won the Fed However, in 2005, when she achieved the biggest got emotional during her professional tennis. Earlier tournament. She lost the Cup for the first time because Clijsters turned 22, she success of her life, was the speech, she continued, “It’s this year, Clijsters also an- French Open final to Jennifer of Clijsters, Henin, Callens, planned to retire at the end last tournament of her career. the place that has inspired nounced that this year’s US Capriati of USA. and Courtois. Clijsters of the 2007 season. Clijsters lost 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) me so much to do well and Open was going to be her last In no time, Clijsters finished the year ranked In October 2006, Clijsters to 18-year-old to do great things. It’s hard tournament. became one of the top flight World No. 2 in singles. At the announced her engagement of Britain in the second round. to explain sometimes why. It was in 1999, when a players on women’s circuit. 2004 Australian Open final, to American basketball player She played Mixed Doubles This completely feels like the 16-year-old girl named Kim 2003 was a remarkable Henin defeated Clijsters yet Brian Lynch. The couple got with of famous perfect place to retire.” Clijsters made an impression year in Clijsters’s career as again. Losing such important married within a year on 13 Bryan Brothers, but lost in the We understand you, on the women’s circuit by she attained World No. 1 in matches frustrated Clijsters, July 2007. second round and officially Kim. We all love you and reaching the fourth round of both singles and doubles. but she kept on fighting! As per her plan, but citing retired on September 2, 2012. will miss you.

8 n December, 2012 n Tennis India Tennis India n December, 2012 n 9 A Tribute to Andy Power, speed, and accuracy of remains the last American to Roddick that . win a Grand Slam tournament. 30th August 2012, New Roddick reached the finals In his career, Roddick won 32 York City: “I’ll make this short of Grand Slam tournaments titles in singles and 4 titles and sweet: I’ve decided that five times in his career- 2003 in doubles as well. For nine this is going to be my last US Open, 2004 Wimbledon, consecutive years, he finished tournament.’’, announced Andy 2005 Wimbledon, 2006 US in the Top 10. His career Win Roddick on his 30th birthday Open and 2009 Wimbledon. -Loss is 612–213. At the time at this year’s US Open. On 5th He won the 2003 US Open of retiring, he was the only September, after losing to Juan final by beating Juan Carlos player on tour along with Martin del Potro; Ferrero in straight sets to lift Federer to have 600+ wins. retired from professional tennis. the famed trophy. He lost the Roddick’s on and off After the match, Roddick other four finals to one man- court behavior has captured addressed the crowd. “For the the great . I am the media’s attention. first time in my career, I’m not a big Federer fan. However, Whether it was his outbursts sure what to say,” he said. “Since the 2009 Wimbledon final against officials or his funny I was a kid, I’ve been coming to was one and only time I imitations of fellow players. this tournament. I felt lucky just wished Federer would have Roddick always amused fans. to sit where all of you are sitting lost against his opponent. There are many things you today, to watch this game and 77 games played. The final may or may not know about to see the champions who have set went to 16-14. Roddick Roddick. He is married to come and gone and I have loved was runner-up, but won a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit every minute of it.” He thanked million hearts, yet again. Fast Issue model and actress, his fans by saying, “It has been forwarding to 2012, Federer Brooklyn Decker. In 2006, he a road with a lot of ups, a lot himself hailed Roddick, upon was appointed as a member of downs and a lot of great Roddick’s retirement, as a of Former President George moments. I have appreciated Wimbledon Champ though he Bush’s President’s Council your support along the way. I never won the tournament. of Sports and Fitness. His know I certainly haven’t made During this year’s US Andy Roddick Foundation it easy for you at times, but I Open, Federer addressed has earned over $10 million really do appreciate it and love the press, “He (Andy) could for children in need of you guys with all my heart.” have gotten that title. That’s quality education and other It was nine years ago, when what I said about him in necessities. Recently, in Andy Roddick won US Open 2009. He deserves this title September 2012, at their and became world’s best tennis as well. In my mind, he is seventh annual charity gala, player to grab World No. 1 spot a Wimbledon champion, a which took place in Austin, in ATP rankings. Then came wonderful ambassador for Texas, they raised more than Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray the game.” He continued , “I $1 million for the Foundation. and everything about the tennis am thankful for everything Heart, guts, and a never- world changed. he has done in the sport here give-up attitude has made Roddick faded to these greats in America. It’s not been Andy Roddick what he is in term of winning majors, but still easy after Agassi, Sampras, today. These values made continue to make an impact on Courier, Chang, Connors, him a great tennis player, the sport with his powerful game. McEnroe, you name them!” but more than that a great A service is the biggest weapon So, is winning multiple human being, according to in tennis, and Roddick served majors the only criteria to me at least. with 130 to 150 mph very often consider when measuring a This is an end of an era in in his career. If someone asks player’s greatness? I do not American tennis. Dear A-Rod, me to pick a best service in the think so! on behalf of all tennis fans , I will definitely For more than a decade, around the world, I would put Roddick on top along with Roddick carried American just like to thank you for your great . My reason? tennis on his shoulders. He ‘service’ to the game!

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