Belgium’s top tennis player believes Kim Clijsters is in for a ‘tough challenge’ with her latest comeback as he praises the former world No.1
David Goffin has lent his backing to his fellow Belgian player, who turned 37 last month. Clijsters began the second comeback of her career earlier this year before the Tour was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She has only managed to play two WTA matches, losing them both in straight sets to Garbine Muguruza in Dubai and Johanna Konta in Monterey.
Goffin, who is seven years younger than Clijsters, says he is ‘happy’ to see her back in the sport. He is the first and so far only male player from his country to have broken into the world’s top 10. Meanwhile, Clijsters is one of three women to have done so along with Justine Henin and Dominique Van Roost.
“She is an amazing person in tennis, on the court and off the court, so I’m really happy she is coming back,” Goffin told Sky Sports.
“It’s going to be a very tough challenge for her but if she feels OK and she wants to enjoy the game like the way she is practising, then it looks like she is happy to do it.
“It’s not because she has to, it’s because she wants to. She’s feeling great, she’s smiling when she is playing. She might not have any high expectations but she is doing it because she enjoys tennis and the competition.”
Clijsters is currently in America taking part in the World Team Tennis event where she has already recorded some notable victories. Playing for team NY Empire, she has won all five of her matches so far. Scoring triumphs over grand slam winners Sofia Kenin and Sloane Stephens. Under the WTT format matches are one set and the first to five games instead of six.
“Kim brings the most knowledge, along with our coach, to this team,” fellow NY Empire player Jack Sock told wtt.com. “Her wisdom, her knowledge out there is amazing. Having her back there in the back of the court with you, pumping you up, is definitely extra special. She’s a legend in the game, but we don’t want to say that yet because she’s still playing, still balling out.”
Clijsters’ WTT wins
Def. Olga Govortsova 5-1
Def. Sloane Stephens 5-2
Def. Danielle Collins 5-4 (4)
Def. Sofia Kenin 5-3
Def. Bernarda Pera 5-2
Clijsters is currently not ranked on the WTA Tour. She first retired from tennis back in 2007 at the age of 23 before returning two years later. So far in her career, she has won 41 WTA titles and spent a total of 20 weeks at the top of the WTA rankings.
