Kim Clijsters is coming back! Again!

[Beacon Hill]

The key word I included was 'as' as in as complete. So more complete than the vast majority of players today. Your view may differ.

I wasn't disagreeing with your assessment. My recollection of her play was that she was mostly a one dimensional baseline player, rather than an all-court player. I think it will be difficult for her to compete with Bianca's top level, but she won't be alone in that department, and I hope she does well.

All accounts indicate she is one of the genuinely nicest pro players ever. I saw her live a couple times at the AO, and what I recall most was her on court interview talking about how she was almost late for her match because she got caught up playing with some children she met at her hotel. She invited the family of those children to sit in her spectators box. A sports reporter I met in Melbourne told me Kim was by far the nicest and kindest person she had met on the tour.

Her beating Serena at the 2009 US Open in the infamous "I swear to God, I'm f------ going to take this f------ ball and shove it down your f------ throat, you hear that? I swear to God." match was one of the most enjoyable outcomes I've ever watched on the WTA.

 

[sportmac]

No offense, but these two do not belong in the same sentence together. There is almost no consistency in the WTA. How many first time major champions have there been in the last 4 years?

Going back to US Open 2015

Flavia Pennetta
Angie Kerber
Garbine Muguruza
Jelena Ostapenko
Sloane Stephens
Caroline Wozniacki
Simona Halep
Naomi Osaka
Ashleigh Barty
Bianca Andreescu

It's an interesting argument. If there are only a handful at the top does that mean the field is consistently weak or is a lack of repeat slam winners indicative of a strong field?

One could argue that the sparsity of slam winners on the ATP over the last several generations of players means a very weak field and the numerous winners in the WTA indicates a very strong field where repeating is more difficult.

Or not.

 

[skaj]

I wasn't disagreeing with your assessment. My recollection of her play was that she was mostly a one dimensional baseline player, rather than an all-court player. I think it will be difficult for her to compete with Bianca's top level, but she won't be alone in that department, and I hope she does well.

All accounts indicate she is one of the genuinely nicest pro players ever. I saw her live a couple times at the AO, and what I recall most was her on court interview talking about how she was almost late for her match because she got caught up playing with some children she met at her hotel. She invited the family of those children to sit in her spectators box. A sports reporter I met in Melbourne told me Kim was by far the nicest and kindest person she had met on the tour.

Her beating Serena at the 2009 US Open in the infamous "I swear to God, I'm f------ going to take this f------ ball and shove it down your f------ throat, you hear that? I swear to God." match was one of the most enjoyable outcomes I've ever watched on the WTA.

She was essentially a baseliner, but she was not just an aggressive ball basher like most players today. She would hit a nice slice in the right moment, throw in a drop shot every now and then, also get to the net when she gets the chance and execute well there. Then there was that amazing defense and she was also a smart player, had a good understanding of the game.

 

[helixx]

She was essentially a baseliner, but she was not just an aggressive ball basher like most players today. She would hit a nice slice in the right moment, throw in a drop shot every now and then, also get to the net when she gets the chance and execute well there. Then there was that amazing defense and she was also a smart player, had good understanding of the game.

this description fits andreescu perfectly i know you are talking about Kim but they are quiet similar

 

[skaj]

this description fits andreescu perfectly i know you are talking about Kim but they are quiet similar

They are actually, there are many comparisons and Andreescu herself says Kim is one of her role models. But still, for me she's a slightly lesser version of Clijsters, that's how I would've describe her game.

 

[Beacon Hill]

They are actually, there are many comparisons and Andreescu herself says Kim is one of her role models. But still, for me she's a slightly lesser version of Clijsters, that's how I would've describe her game.

It's early days, but do you think Kim's peak would beat the best of Bianca's current form?

 

[skaj]

It's early days, but do you think Kim's peak would beat the best of Bianca's current form?

Of course. She is just a little bit better at everything.

 

[Soianka]

I don't have any hope that she'll have any success after being out 7 years.

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

Henin did not run away again after losing to Serena in her comeback. The only time she played Serena in her comeback was the 2010 AO final. She lost in 3 sets yes, however she played on for another year after that winning 2 titles and I believe getting back into the top 10. If any player mentally chased her out it was Clijsters who beat her 3 times in 2010. Nice Try though

Please. Clijsters was never Henin's great opposition. It was always Serena, hence their intense relationship (which involved more than Henin's on court cheating). Henin losing to Serena again just let her know she was not going to slip by and regain what she once possessed. Deny it as much as you like, but it was not only apparent what happened, but during her final match vs. Serena, observers noted the look on her face, which was the polar opposite of "i'm back and I will turn the tables."

Kim can win a slam again because she is a physical anomaly, like Serena. Can't compare her to Borg who was trying to come back using old tech and old technique. Can't compare her to Azarenka either physically or mentally for that matter.

Equipment or technique aside, she is like Borg in one, important way: she will enter a field filled with hungry majors winners and those who are close to that breakthrough, and none are going to step aside or roll over for an out-of-retirement older player.

 

[Beacon Hill]

Of course. She is just a little bit better at everything.

Better serve? Better drop shot? Better overhead? Better heavy topspin forehand? More variety?

 

[skaj]

Better serve? Better drop shot? Better overhead? Better heavy topspin forehand? More variety?

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

The placement of the serve, speed, variety, timing - Clijsters(post baby) is a little better at all of this.
Technically better drop shot(better hands, finer touch in general), and hit at the right time almost always. Andreescu only does it more often.
Definitely more solid and consistent overhead.
Forehand in general, deeper, better angles, flexibility(Bianca's topspin might be a bit more heavy, it doesn't make the shot better).
Not necessarily more, but better variety - she mixes it up in a smarter way; slices, drop shots, direction changes, net approaches, she does it at the right moment.

 

[crazyups]

Please. Clijsters was never Henin's great opposition. It was always Serena, hence their intense relationship (which involved more than Henin's on court cheating). Henin losing to Serena again just let her know she was not going to slip by and regain what she once possessed. Deny it as much as you like, but it was not only apparent what happened, but during her final match vs. Serena, observers noted the look on her face, which was the polar opposite of "i'm back and I will turn the tables."



Equipment or technique aside, she is like Borg in one, important way: she will enter a field filled with hungry majors winners and those who are close to that breakthrough, and none are going to step aside or roll over for an out-of-retirement older player.

Since when did any pro player step aside or roll over for anyone?

 

[boredone3456]

Please. Clijsters was never Henin's great opposition. It was always Serena, hence their intense relationship (which involved more than Henin's on court cheating). Henin losing to Serena again just let her know she was not going to slip by and regain what she once possessed. Deny it as much as you like, but it was not only apparent what happened, but during her final match vs. Serena, observers noted the look on her face, which was the polar opposite of "i'm back and I will turn the tables

Whatever. Keep rolling forward with your agenda. Fact is Henin and Serena played ONCE in Henins comeback, she lost, but it was once. Fact is Clijsters, who Henin owned before her first retirement in big matches, beat her 3 times in 2010. We all know you are obsessed with Serena but stop giving her credit for things she didn't do because it makes you feel better...it just makes you look delusional. I dont even know why I am bothering to reply to you...all your going to do is respond buy round about calling me an idiot in a pompous tone of voice because that's your usual agenda.

Good Bye

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

Whatever. Keep rolling forward with your agenda. Fact is Henin and Serena played ONCE in Henins comeback, she lost, but it was once. Fact is Clijsters, who Henin owned before her first retirement in big matches, beat her 3 times in 2010. We all know you are obsessed with Serena but stop giving her credit for things she didn't do because it makes you feel better...it just makes you look delusional. I dont even know why I am bothering to reply to you...all your going to do is respond buy round about calling me an idiot in a pompous tone of voice because that's your usual agenda.

Good Bye

Good riddance. You--like your ilk on this board--are forever in blood-hatred mode of Serena because she defeated the object of your obsession, That is clear here and in other threads, so do everyone a favor and keep your promise, while the history of the game, AKA reality is brought to this thread.

 

[SumYungGai]

She has no chance at winning a major as the level of consistency in the WTA is way too strong.

 

[donquijote]

Watch out, Serena!

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1172117655874080771

I guess you meant "watch out Bianca!".
I'd really like to see a final between them.

 

[donquijote]

Save tennis from what?

Boredom?

Tennis is always to be saved from something for some reason. You never hear 'she will save soccer/basketball/swimming'.

 

[donquijote]

Please 2 Martinas and Stefi too. Tired of watching Halep.

 

[Purplemonster]

Look up sarcasm in the dictionary

 

[SumYungGai]

Look up sarcasm in the dictionary

I'm glad we're on the same page

 

[helixx]

so yesterday Mladenovic posted on twitter that Sasha left her team and today Kim announced he will be her coach for the next year.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1186132335303036928

 

[BrokenForehand]

so yesterday Mladenovic posted on twitter that Sasha left her team and today Kim announced he will be her coach for the next year.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1186132335303036928

This account is notoriously for being an attention *****
Sometimes it guessed right, sometimes not, not a trustworthy source

 

[Dondon]

Hewitt is excited for the comeback

 

[helixx]

This account is notoriously for being an attention *****
Sometimes it guessed right, sometimes not, not a trustworthy source

you might be right. my bad! didnt know its a fake news account. i also saw some newspapers taking it as granted.

 

[tennis4me]

Kim acknowledging her fans for supporting her comeback news

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[mental midget]

I could see her winning the Grand Slam in this weak field

i feel the field, relative to say 2-3 years ago, is quite strong now. andreescu, barty, osaka are the real deal, serena still hanging around, kenin is coming on strong...and some variety at last, play-style-wise, which is nice.

 

[trownjeff]

Henin tried to return, lost to Serena, then ram away again. Regarding the "natural fall off" of Hingis, the game passed her by quickly and she bailed.Then again, for all her ego, she struggled even at the end of Graf's era and certainly in the next significant singles tour era to follow.

Actually the fall she took at Wimbledon during her 3 set loss to Clijsters created an injury that her daughter told her after her 1 comeback event at Australia 6 months later (she had to miss all that time) that it would be dangerous to keep playing. She was basically forced to retire due to the nature of the elbow injury.

 

[upchuck]

Andreescu vs Clijsters is an interesting one. It's a testament to how good Andreescu is that this is even a question. Kim could hit the ball as big if not bigger, but she sometimes wasn't as aggressive from the baseline as she could be. Definitely the quicker player. Not sure if she had a better serve.

Kim is an underachiever. No way in hell Sharapova and Hingis should have more majors than her.

 

[thrust]

Actually the fall she took at Wimbledon during her 3 set loss to Clijsters created an injury that her daughter told her after her 1 comeback event at Australia 6 months later (she had to miss all that time) that it would be dangerous to keep playing. She was basically forced to retire due to the nature of the elbow injury.

True! Also, Justine was totally outplaying Kim before that damaging fall. Her body just gave out, as she was never as naturally as physically strong as Kim, Maria, Davenport and the Williams sisters.

 

[Harry_Wild]

Hopefully, that will restart Justine Henin to make another comeback too!

 

[MasturB]

All of the sudden the women's game doesn't look like a crapshoot anymore if Kim comes back and makes some noise.

Now if only the ATP Next-Gen can actually do something.

 

[onyxrose81]

Hopefully, that will restart Justine Henin to make another comeback too!

Henin’s elbow is mush. There’s absolutely no way.

 

[TagUrIt]

Unfortunately, she’s already off to a bad start. She’s sustained a knee injury.

 

[Shaolin]

Unfortunately, she’s already off to a bad start. She’s sustained a knee injury.

That sucks.

Was looking forward to Clijsters and Barty at the top of the game. Two class acts.

 

[octobrina10]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1191372610803777538

 

[Enceladus]

Kim Clijsters announced that her comeback on WTA Tour will take place in March at the tournament in Monterrey:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1209054637854208000

 

[clout]

Suzanne only turned 120 in May.

Will peak in 5 years

 

[clout]

Hingis and Henin didn't retire because of Serena. What a load.



You mean seriously inconsistent. Here are their major performances since winning their last major:
#75 Jelena Ostapenko: 1R x 4, 3R x 4, QF x 1, SF x 1, lost in the first round 3 of the last 4 majors
#42 Victoria Azarenka: hasn't gotten past the QF of a major in 6 years, hasn't gotten past the 3rd round in 2 years
#27 Garbine Muguruza: 1R x 2, 2R x 3, 4R x 3, SF x 1, has not gotten past the 4th round in the last 6 majors
#17 Caroline Wozniacki: 1R x 1, 2R x 2, 3R x 3, 4R x 1
#15 Angelique Kerber: 1R x 2, 2R x 1, 3R x 1, 4R x 1
#14 Sloane Stephens: 1R x 3, 3R x 1, 4R x 1, QF x 2, F x 1
#7 Petra Kvitova: 1R x 2, 2R x 5, 3R x 6, 4R x 3, QF x 2, F x 1

The serious roadblocks are Andreescu, Halep, Osaka, and maybe Barty.

If she’s healthy and in form, I don’t see why Clijsters can’t be a great player again. She has the natural talent and is a great athlete and she’s actually younger than Federer and the Williams sisters.

 

[DSH]

 

[TennisLBC]

If Kim does not earn enough point for direct entry into Roland Garros, will she play the qualies?

 

[stringertom]

If she’s healthy and in form, I don’t see why Clijsters can’t be a great player again. She has the natural talent and is a great athlete and she’s actually younger than Federer and the Williams sisters.

She has two sons and a daughter. I don’t think she’ll remind us of that though.

Welcome back!

 

[stringertom]

If Kim does not earn enough point for direct entry into Roland Garros, will she play the qualies?

Twice a finalist there. Maybe FFT will see fit to grant a WC if her form before RG seems to merit granting her a WC, non?

 

[spystud]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1226417799075127297