Kim Clijsters to Halep, Keys: 'It took me four finals to win'

Simona Halep and Madison Keys are looking to Kim Clijsters as an example following defeats in Grand Slam finals this season. They are still looking to win a major for the first time in their careers.

Clijsters, who fell in her first three Grand Slam finals but then won four majors, spoke to both players and told them to stay motivated.

Keys was defeated in straight sets by Sloane Stephens in her first Grand Slam final at the US Open.

"Kim was like, ‘It took me four. Every ball that you missed, I completely understood,'" Keys was quoted saying this week at Wuhan.

Halep was up a set and led in both the next two sets against Jelena Ostapenko at the French Open, but fell in her second Grand Slam final. The defeat bothered her for a while but was helped by talking to Clijsters.

"I met Kim Clijsters and she told me that she lost four finals before winning a Grand Slam, so maybe I need more time, more experience," said Halep, speaking to *Forbes*.

Clijsters reached Grand Slam finals in 2001, 2003 and 2004 before finally winning her first major at the 2005 US Open. She then returned from retirement in 2009 to win three more Grand Slams.

Halep is ranked No. 2 in the world and Keys is No. 11.

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