Nearly five months after her abrupt retirement from professional tennis, fan favorite Kim Clijsters is already the subject of comeback speculation after Lindsay Davenport’s successful return to competitive play following the birth of her son earlier this year.
Like Davenport, Clijsters has ruled out a comeback after getting married in July and announcing that she was expecting her first child in January. But she did play in a charity exhibition doubles match on Sunday in Luxembourg alongside television presenter Dan Spogen against Jana Novotna and singer Roberto Blanco. Clijsters did not come out a winner in that match, but the fans who had gathered to watch her first tennis performance in four months were treated to an entertaining match during what was a busy weekend for the Belgian.
On Saturday, the people-pleasing Clijsters, famous for her popularity amongst her fellow pros and her devotion to her legion of followers, held a thank-you event for fans by converting the Bobbejaanland amusement park in Lichthaart into “Kimsland” for the day. Some 140,000 applications for tickets were received, but only 10,000 lucky fans had the opportunity to attend the event.
"I do realize that I kept quite some fans up at night or have pulled them through some nerve wrecking moments [with my matches] and that is why I want to redo the favor. By organizing this unique fan day I also would like to thank the loyal writers of so many letters," Clijsters explained.
The busy mother-to-be also added yet another title to already impressive resume: published author. During the whirlwind weekend, she attended a book signing session to autograph copies of her first book, “Mijn Fans,” or “My Fans.”
The book “is an ode to the many fans” and a tribute to the many letters and words of support Clijsters has received, her website said.
“The book will sample the most moving, the funniest and the most surprising bits and pieces from the thousands of letters. It will be a mere 200 pages and include many pictures from her successful career.”