Not Even Diamonds Can Tempt Kim Clijsters
Posted by Aaress Lawless on Feb 13, 2007 | Print
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Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but Kim Clijsters has no intention of letting them get in the way of her retirement.
Not even a million dollar tennis racquet is enough of an inducement to keep Clijsters on the tennis circuit. No ifs, no ands, and no buts - Miss Congeniality is calling it quits by the end of the season.
It is becoming a monthly routine to hear someone ask Kim Clijsters if she is definitely retiring. Clijsters has been pretty polite about it and has done everything save wear a t-shirt that proclaims, “Yes. . . I am retiring”.
Her latest barrage of questioning came today at the Proximus Diamond Games, in Clijsters’ native Belgium. Should she win the title on Sunday, she’ll become eligible to take home Antwerp’s diamond racquet with another win in 2008.
The racquet, which is worth a mind-boggling 1 million euros, has never been won by a player, but Amelie Mauresmo has a chance to take it home this weekend if she wins her third title at Antwerp in less than five years. Clijsters would have an opportunity in 2008, but the Belgian has said that competing next year is absolutely out of the question.
“No, I have made my decision and will not change my mind. Even for this,” said Clijsters according to Reuters.
I have not commented much on Kim’s plans to retire, partly because it has been well rehearsed over the past several months by the media, and also because I think she is making the right decision. Far be it for me, someone who has not had to deal with the physical wear and tear of life on the tennis circuit, to tell someone else that her body can handle a few more years of stress.
In a way, it is sad to see someone of Kim’s stature on the Tour retire. For starters, her personality is going to be missed. Yes, she has had her squabbles with Justine over the years, but for the most part, you could always rely on Kim Clijsters to spread a smile in a sport that is not exactly known for its sunshiny atmosphere.
No one can deny that her body is not built for several more years on the Tour, as Clijsters has such a long list of previous injuries that she’ll make the perfect spokesperson for Aleve and Asper-Creme in about twenty or thirty years.
Frankly, I admire Kim for being able to call it quits at the top of her game. Tennis is not an obsession for her and she realizes that after all, it is just a game and a steady job. She knows that trying to be a wife and mother is more than enough for her to handle, and after giving up ten years of her life, she is ready and willing to settle down.
Think about it - what will matter the most in ten years for Clijsters? Another fourteen million dollars in prize money or a chance to actually play tennis with her kids and be able to live a normal life?
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ice | Feb 13, 2007 | Reply
great post!
Nexty | Feb 13, 2007 | Reply
very emotive
Aaress | Feb 13, 2007 | Reply
Thanks!
Stewpot | Feb 14, 2007 | Reply
Moms are curators of memories in the museum of life…but if you are not there to create the memories the museum will be empty. Plus,no one wants the arthritis to limit her in a few years with joint pain etc.
Aaress | Feb 14, 2007 | Reply
Very wise words Stewpot! Thanks for putting it all in perspective.