'Legendary': Tennis world erupts over Kim Clijsters comeback
The tennis world has reacted with delight after Kim Clijsters made her competitive WTA Tour comeback for 2021 in a hard-fought loss in Chicago.
The 38-year-old Clijsters, who accepted a wild card into the hardcourt event, was highly competitive in her first match of the season but misfired at key moments in a 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 loss to Taiwan's Hsieh Su-wei.
'HORRIBLE SITUATION': Roger Federer's warning to Emma Raducanu
'NEEDS A REST': Ash Barty's shock announcement amid gruelling year
'SO SAD': Tennis fans gutted over massive Roger Federer revelation
Clijsters showcased some of her trademarks, which won her four grand slam titles, but unforced errors in crucial moments cost her.
The results means four-time grand slam champion Clijsters remains without a win in four events since her comeback to the WTA Tour last year.
Clijsters has won 41 titles in her illustrious career, but chose to return to the game after more than a decade of retirement last year.
Despite the loss, fans were thrilled to see the 38-year-old Belgian continue to pursue her WTA comeback.
Clijsters on her first match on tour since 2020 US Open (and 4th of comeback)
"I came close today but still have a good feeling - I've made progression. I think that's the most important thing that I am looking at is that I'm improving overall and that's the positive thing."— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) September 27, 2021
Hsieh beats Clijsters 6-3, 5-7, 6-3.
Kim was competitive but missed too much in the end. pic.twitter.com/VP26IxwjRu— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 27, 2021
Hsieh Su-Wei beats Kim Clijsters 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 in Chicago.
Fantastic to see Clijsters back on court after various setbacks during her comeback. More than capable of picking up some wins once she gets a few more matches under her belt. #ChicagoTennisFestival.— Oli Dickson Jefford (@odicksonjefford) September 27, 2021
Clijsters' hitting is still so good and this is leagues away from her prime!
Makes me appreciate the 2010s even more because my faves were out there beating her in her prime
She's such a good player!— bennet (@Vee16Queen) September 27, 2021
Su-Wei Hsieh beats Kim Clijsters 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 to reach the #ChiTennisFestival second round.
Not a bad performance from Clijsters. https://t.co/z4nYQnYcSF— Biola Solace-Chukwu (@Beeorlicious) September 27, 2021
Hsieh Su-Wei beats Kim Clijsters 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 in Chicago.
Fantastic to see Clijsters back on court after various setbacks during her comeback. More than capable of picking up some wins once she gets a few more matches under her belt. #ChicagoTennisFestival.— Oli Dickson Jefford (@odicksonjefford) September 27, 2021
The consistency of Hsieh Su-wei proved too much in the end for Kim Clijsters, ending her comeback in Chicago in a hard fought round one match, 6-3 5-7 6-3. pic.twitter.com/eokcwxRUD7
— Chicago Tennis Racketeer (@TennisRacketeer) September 27, 2021
Kim Clijsters gets a nice hand as she departs, but it is Hsieh Su-Wei who comes away a winner at @ChiTennisFest, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3. pic.twitter.com/uMzHh2qhRL
— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) September 27, 2021
Watching the legendary champion Kim Clijsters in her comeback at the age of 38 at the Chicago Tennis Festival WTA 500 tournament. In a tough match against the counterpuncher Hsieh pic.twitter.com/OxCTtsvIhN
— Jin-Soo Huh (@JinSooDHuh) September 27, 2021
Kim Clijsters playing her first match of 2021 & just 4th since coming out of retirement in 1st Round in Chicago...Azarenka & Mertens in crowd watching the 38-year old HOF'er #WTA #chicagotennisfestival pic.twitter.com/aoRkwTMESR
— John Horn (@SportsHorn) September 27, 2021
Not the desired outcome for Kim Clijsters today in Chicago, but hopefully this is just the first step of a long and successful return to tennis for the four-time singles slam champ. pic.twitter.com/K0Lqc6Ld0n
— Chicago Tennis Racketeer (@TennisRacketeer) September 27, 2021
Kim Clijsters! pic.twitter.com/c6wkf4pBVT
— tennis_tweets (@boiler_maker_11) September 27, 2021
The 38-year-old came back from a break down to force a third set where Hsieh proved the steadier of the two in a match that lasted two hours and 18 minutes.
"Some good things, some bad things, and inconsistency," Clijsters said.
"But I think for me the most important thing is that, what I talked with my coach and my trainer about, my fitness coach, was physically being able to get through these matches without big concerns.
"That was the main goal."
Clijsters said she is hoping to play more matches this season.
"I would like to play Indian Wells if I can, if the body holds up good," she said.
"So, at the moment, it's all fine."
Tennis world rallies around Kim Clijsters
Her return comes two decades after she reached her first grand slam final and one decade after she won her last major singles championship.
Ahead of her 2021 return, Clijsters explained why she had the motivation to keep going.
"I have friends back at home in Belgium who said, 'Oh, before I'm 40, I would like to run a marathon' or something like that,"
"And I was like, 'Yeah, so this is kind of my marathon a little bit.' But I enjoy the challenges.
"I enjoy when I'm out there and seeing how I react the next day. And like, 'Oh, this thing is reacting this way'. Or my anticipation, 'how can I train to improve that?'
"Things were just so normal back in the day. As long as I feel like I'm still improving, that's what motivates me."
Clijsters, now a mother of three, hasn't competed since a first-round loss at the US Open in 2020.
with AAP
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.