The top 5 moments of Kim Clijsters’ career as she retires from tennis for third time

Kim Clijsters has announced her retirement from tennis for the third time.

Across a glittering career, the Belgian star won four Grand Slam singles titles and was formerly ranked as the number one player in the world. 

Having first retired in 2007, Clijsters made a remarkable return to the sport in 2009, before retiring again in 2012. 

Seven years later, she announced another comeback but persistent injuries coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic, rendering her unable to play consistently. As a result, the 38-year-old has called time on her career once more.

A fan favourite, who was renowned as one of the ‘nicest’ players on tour –– here are five of the Belgian’s most memorable moments: 

The 2003 season is often referred to as Clijsters’ ‘annus mirabilis’ [miraculous year]. She competed in 21 singles events; winning nine, advancing to the final in 15 and reaching at least the semi-finals in all but one. 

With 90 wins in total, Clijsters was the first player to accrue that many wins since Martina Navratilova in 1982. 

In August of that year, the Belgian became the world number one –– overtaking the great Serena Williams, who had struggled with injuries for most of the season. 

It meant that Clijsters became the first-ever number one ranked player to hold the position without winning a Grand Slam. 

Throughout her career, Clijsters held the number one ranking on four occasions and for a combined 20 weeks in total. 

By 2005, Clijsters was undisputedly considered one of the best players on the tour but had still not captured a major title. 

This all changed at the US Open that year as she stormed to a historic victory in New York. 

Clijsters battled back from a set and a break down against Venus Williams in the quarter-finals,