i think some of this is pathetic and i like kim. she is yearning for her wedding day? sounds to me like she is reading too many romance novels.

Why is she even retiring? She should continue playing and stop whining. Have some cheese with that wine. Somebody call the WAAA-mbulance. Cry me a river Kim.

I agree with you Mike 5. Kim is still so young and really hasn't accomplished much in the Tennis game, like a Serena, Venus, Lindsay. She can have a family and continue to be successful in the game. I think she is afraid of playing more and not making history, so she is bailing out now before she gets beat out.

I agree with you Mike 5. Kim is still so young and really hasn't accomplished much in the Tennis game, like a Serena, Venus, Lindsay. She can have a family and continue to be successful in the game. I think she is afraid of playing more and not making history, so she is bailing out now before she gets beat out.

Kim has been on the tour for a reasonable length of time now, and yielding the Grand Slams isn't what it's all about for her anymore. We all know she can do it, as proven in the U.S. Open, and is even quite capable of comfortably playing on clay if it were not for her felllow countrywoman. You all must respect her decision to move on in her life, as tennis has brought her greatness; she is one that will remain one to be remembered regardless. But it has also brought the mounting injuries that come with such a sport.

kim just gave up. i like her playing style and off-court but not the fighting spirit (or the lack of it).

If she wins a couple titles this year and is in good shape how could she NOT want to continue. That is not the heart of a champion. Retiring this early is shameful. Fight till the end. Until you can't swing anymore.

Ever since Kim won the US Open and her parents divorce right after that victory, her motivation on the court has dissipated.
She reminds me of Davenport who also went through a difficult period in her life when her parents divorced.

You know, I think that Kim is just one of those people who knows exactly what she wants in life, has her priorities set, and won't let anyone change that. To us in the tennis world, it seems like she's throwing away talent, but at the end of the day, it's her life. We can say whatever we want about her not putting forth maximum effort and not doing everything possible to finish off her career the way she deserves to; but I haven't really seen anyone look at it from the standpoint that this is what Kim wants. She's said and displayed all through her career that tennis for her was ultimately never about winning, it was about making an impact on people, about making friends. What we have here is a woman who knows exactly what she wants and will neither be swayed nor influenced by anyone or anything.
We live in such a competitive world that when a person, especially an athlete, yearns for "normalcy" and steers off a "successful" and fulfilling pathway to achieve it, he/she "lacks the heart of a champion" or is a "quitter".We're always encouraging children to go for their dreams, to shoot for the stars. In today's world, it's difficult to understand why someone's dream would be to be a good wife and mother, it just doesn't seem like enough. Our definition of success undermines prestige lacking jobs such as housewifery and teaching because people in these professions have nothing obvious to show for their lives. We pay such little attention to the "normal" people, yet they are the very necks that turn the most powerful heads in the world. Some people settle for these jobs because no-one wants them and they have no other choice. Others, like Kim, take them because they want to.
We're so used to hearing top athletes say that their goal is to be the best, that their lives revolve around their sport, infact, we expect this attitude from athletes. So when a great talent sincerely exhibits a different attitude, we're quick to shun and critisize his/her actions...Most of us love our jobs but yearn for greater things, Kim likewise loves tennis but has always wanted more, only for most of us, her more seems like a lot less.

This seems 2 B another Emotional Farewell 2 Tennis, but it IS given (as U say) by one of the Nicest People in the Tennis World,
just as Agassi's was given in the same manner!! Long may they reign
in their OWN Adventures, thereafter!! Amalie was showing Emotion as
well, & that tells a LOT about her! Long may SHE reign!! Thanx 4 the Video!!

I, for one, respect Kim's decision and am proud of her for being honest with herself and with the fans. She wants to be a mom, raise children, and focus on giving and living with them. A mother with her children is of utmost importance to a healthy family. I am sure Kim will be a great mother and wife, and that is much more important than being the best tennis player in the world. My hat is off to Kim and I say God bless her.

Lance, well said.

Lance, there is always time for children. Kim is young. She is wasting a tremendous opportunity to continue playing. If you ask any retired player in the game if they were given the chance to play again in their prime they would do it in an heartbeat. She will realize this when she is out of the game for a couple of years. I think this is a terrible move on her part to retire this young. I understand that it is her decision but honestly, she can live life to the fullest when she is done playing years from now. Her having children is no excuse. Maybe she just doesn't want to play anymore for other reasons ?

coming soon,

I think this is a "priorities" discussion. Kim's priorities are different from that of many top professional tennis players. I applaud them and think that her heart and priorities are in the best place. I argue that she will never regret this decision as she raises her family. Time will tell.

Lance,

This is indeed a "priorities" decision. I think she is not being realistic with her choice. Any way you look at it, her future seems brighter playing and having kids later on in life. Financially and egotistically it makes perfect sense for her to continue playing. If she wants to end with this storyboard tear filled ending she will eventually realize the other side of life. One that many times is not as rewarding as what she has now. Kim will only have one chance to do what she is doing right now. If she misses out on years that she was in good shape and can still play then that is truly a waste. I hate to say it but she will be kicking herself later on.

May I just say that it is none of our business what she does with her life and her career. She is obviously a tremendous tennis player and athlete, but she has always had her priorities set and if this is the time when she decides that she's had enough and wants more from life then so be it and we should be happy for her. Being a tennis player is not easy. There is so much physical stress and so much traveling involved that there is not enough time left for other things in life. Plus, there are more important things in life than winning championships, such as the family she wishes to have. We all know she has talent, she's shown it throughout the years, so she has nothing left to prove. I say good luck to you, Kim, and may the rest of your dreams come true. And to all those who are anti this retirement, you shouldn't be so critical because tennis isn't everything in life and we don't know the toll that the injuries have taken on her body.

I'm not arguing that there is more to life than tennis. All I'm saying is that there will be time for that stuff later on.

For heaven's sake...some of you seem unbelievably cynical, but I guess that's pretty typical in our country (and world) these days. Clijsters has had a lovely career--a US Open Grand Slam, 2 Season-Ending WTA Championship Titles, achievement of the world No.1 ranking, 34--count em!--34 singles titles altogether. Several runner-up finishes and close-calls at other Slams. One of the greatest comeback-seasons in tennis history (2005), especially from career debilitating injury.

She managed all of this during the age of the Williams Sisters dominance, and while Henin, Mauresmo, Capriati, and Davenport were also fighting strong. People used to make excuses for Mary Joe Fernandez, who reached a couple of Slam finals, lots of semis, but finished her career with no Slam singles titles and only 7 titles overall. That was because she had to contend with Graf & Seles. Gabriela Sabatini also had to contend with both of those women and *she* never managed the No.1 ranking, though thank heaven she was able to win that wonderful US Open crown. She also quit while in her 20s.

Clijsters has had a career to be very proud of, is sick of the injuries, realizes that cultivating a successful family life is, ultimately, more important than any sports competition, and wants to move on. I fail to see the slightest reason for criticizing her personal (and admirable) decision.

I guess many people increasingly relate only to those individuals who put fame, money, and "titles" and the relentless pursuit of MORE fame, money, and titles above everything. It's a Trump/Survivor World out there...in some people's heads. Clijsters reached the pinnacle of her sport against tough odds, tough injuries, and tough competition. She has much money, many trophies, and much worldwide admiration to show for it, and now she wants to achieve success in personal, family life. Kim is going to do her best to have it ALL, and I think *that* makes her even MORE of a champion, more of a well-rounded WOMAN/HUMAN BEING, than many of her peers.

Her timetable for leaving the game is her own, and no one has the right to second-guess her personal decision. No one. As for what she "might" accomplish if she stays? Well, likely not much more because she DOESN'T WANT TO! Moot point! Not every truly "great" champion needs multiple Slam titles to be considered "great," and not every champion now considered "great" has been *able* to win multiple titles. Just ask Sabatini and Novotna, who were never No. 1 in their sport, but great nonetheless. Clijsters can hold her head quite high, for many reasons.

Cade,

I can't believe you could even mention sabatini or novotna. they were not great champions. Novotna's gameis weak and Sabatini din't have a serve a good ground strokes. Overall, Kim is making a huge mistake. I think she is retiring because she is afraid that she will never live up to the high expectations people have of her. SHE IS AFRAID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cade,

I can't believe you could even mention sabatini or novotna. they were not great champions. Novotna's gameis weak and Sabatini din't have a serve a good ground strokes. Overall, Kim is making a huge mistake. I think she is retiring because she is afraid that she will never live up to the high expectations people have of her. SHE IS AFRAID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well everyone here are saying Kim is so young to retire and lack of fight, passion, etc... but remember even if she'd like to continue playing tennis her body isnt the same anymore, she is young but her body doesnt thanks to all that injuries. Her body doesnt hold it anymore and she knows that, thats is another reason why she is saying good bye to the sport, she is tired of being injured most of the time and she is needing more time to be healthy after and injury...
I love this girl and it will be so sad for me but I wish her all the best in this life, she deserves it. Kim is a great tennis player and why not, she is a champion after all, not many people wins 34 titles at 23.

If Clijsters doesn't feel that same spark of competition that's propelled her to greatness all these years, then it's the right decision for her to gracefully exit the WTA tour. Kim is classy enough to realize that the presence of a "journeywoman" on the tour, content to be in the world's top 5 but never with enough drive to win the Grand Slams, would put somewhat of a damper on the game.

If her passion is now directed towards raising a family, then all the power to her and we should all wish her the best.

(All this brouhaha about Clijsters makes me wonder what it must have been like back in 1983 when Borg retired from Tennis as 26!!! What a shocker that must have been ...)

I think KIM should continue her career because she is so young and have strong potential in the game. Pro pags2 na lng na ya si kim ya! ma mana sa ya mo! kunti iya na lng na ya! hehehe ara na gd na pgs2 sa jerjer wala sa paligban nga hampang dibala?

Good luck, Kim.
You have your priorities right: Attract a worthy mate and go devote your time to managing successfully the most complex thing in the Universe -- young Nervous Systems.
You've had a good run; and it couldn't happen to a better human being.
Now, if you could only help Amelia find a man to straighten her out; she might just get cured of her mental confusion about the correct gender for a mate.

I applaud Kim's decision and no one, I reiterate no one should even argue or second guess her decision to retire. For God's sake it's her life, therefore, it's her choice to make. I have so much admiration for her now. It's just unbelievable and I don't even know how I can put this into words. I mean, she deciced to hang her racquet at the pinacle of her career for the most precious thing on hearth. There's more to life than just tennis and titles... and thank God there's Kim to show us all that. Why should she continue to play? for the money? She was born in wealth. She's the daughter of Belgium's most successfull soccer/football player. She has amassed in her illustrious career more than most of us would earn in our lifetime. Most of us have families so why shouldn't she be allowed to have one too on her own terms?
Let me ask you something then. Isn't the dream of the majority of people to retire at an early age???