By Pritha Sarkar
LONDON (Reuters) - In an era when records, money or the cult of celebrity have
driven many athletes to prolong their careers long after they have passed
their peak, Kim Clijsters proved there is more to life than being a
professional athlete.
Not since Swedish great Bjorn Borg turned his back on the sport in 1982 aged
just 26 has a top player walked away from tennis at such a young age.
In fact Clijsters has even beaten Bjorg's feat, calling it quits on Sunday
aged just 23.
Just as Borg was worn down by his lack of privacy and loss in motivation, the
popular Belgian yearned for a normal domestic life and got fed up with her
constant battle against injuries.
Since 2004, the former world number one has probably read and re-read several
injury manuals after spending more time on a physiotherapist's table than on
court.
While most of her rivals were locked in battle at one tournament after another,
Clijsters became an expert on how to recuperate from ankle sprains, wrist
surgery, hip problems and a number of other ailments.
With the daily grind of keeping her body match-fit becoming more and more
unbearable, she earmarked 2007 as her final season on the tour more than 20
months ago.
Although she was expected to bow out in October, Sunday's announcement did not
come as a surprise especially since she did not want another injury to ruin
her wedding to American basketball player Brian Lynch in July.
Her decision would also have cost her financially.
As fans would have flocked to tournaments hoping to catch a final glimpse of
the 2005 U.S. Open champion, she could have boosted her pension fund as she
would have been guaranteed appearance money to turn up at non-grand slam events.
But with almost $15 million in prize money in the bank, she could not care
less.
"It would be easy to go on for a few more months and take in the four big
earners in tennis," she said referring to the season's three remaining majors
and the end-of-season WTA Championships.
MANY MEMORIES
"Money is important but not the most important thing in my life. Health and a
private life are more important."
As she looks forward to putting her feet up and embracing domestic chores as
a housewife, Clijsters will have many memories to look back on from her
nine-year professional career.
As the daughter of former soccer international Leo Clijsters and top Belgian
gymnast Els, Kim was born with competitive juices running through her veins.
It was therefore little surprise when she climbed to the top of her chosen
sport in August 2003 but she had to wait more than two years before she
achieved her most notable feat by lifting the 2005 U.S. Open trophy