Clijsters delighted with parent-player double act (Feature)

By Bill Scott Sep 14, 2009, 6:20 GMT

   New York - After never actually expecting that her career would re-ignite after more than two years away to get married and have a child, new US Open winner Kim Clijsters is already making her plans for January's next Grand Slam date in Australia.

   But first, the reality of defeating Danish 19-year-old Caroline Wozniacki 7-5, 6-3 to lift a second title at Flushing Meadows must sink in for the 26-year-old Belgian winner, her husband and daughter Jada.

   'This is something that in my wildest dreams could never imagine happening,' said the 2005 US Open winner who had not played the event since her victory four years ago followed by her retirement - back then believed permanent - in early 2007.

   'My next tournament is going to be Luxembourg, and then, I really don't know what's ahead yet,' said Clijsters, who is based in New Jersey and Belgium with her family.

   'My sister is about to have a baby in a couple of weeks, and those are really important moments that I want to be home for.

   'But Australia is a part of the schedule. I want to train hard again at the end of this year and then Australia. That's something that I really look forward to.'

   Clijsters could not have expected such a major success in just her third event back on court, and is not yet planning much further ahead.

   'To really look further is something I don't even want to do yet, because so many things can happen,' said Clijsters, the first mother in nearly three decades to win a Grand Slam.

   'I just want to take it one period at a time and just see what happens after that and just what you learn from those trips.'

   The Belgian said that she is now more convinced than ever that her decision to take time out for motherhood was the wisest decision.

   'As a woman who has a family and being an athlete, I think it's possible. There are other athletes out there. Obviously in tennis we have [Austrian mother] Sybille Bammer, and she's doing really good.

   'But to win a Grand Slam now I think is obviously a big deal in women's tennis, and the history of women's tennis. I'm glad that I'm a part of that history.'

   But Clijsters said she won't be pushing her 18-month-old daughter to take up the sport.

   'We're not the type of parents who are going to be pushing tennis racquets into her hands and telling her she has to play tennis. Obviously you want your children to find their passion, and whether it is in sports or whether it's in music or anything.

   'As a parent, you want to support them in whatever choice they decide to take.

   'I mean, she's 18 months. I think you just want to see her grow up and just get to know her and know her personality a lot better.'