Well, Kim Clijsters has done it - become the first mother to win a Grand Slam title since Evonne Goolagong took the Wimbledon title in 1980. She's the first wild card to win the women's US Open title. And this is just the third tournament she's played since her extended leave-of-absence (which began not long after she bagged her first and [until tonight] only Grand Slam singles title in 2005).
Her story has indeed been magical this summer, but it's also made the rest of the WTA cast appear weak. The degree to which Clijsters' run is explained by her genius for the game, or by a surprising lack of adequate competition on the women's tour is an interesting subject for debate.
As Clijsters said in her trophy presentation speech: "I don't have words for this," I'm just glad I got to come back and defend my title from 2005. . . this wasn't my plan. I have to thank the USTA for giving me the wild card to come back here."
This whole situation is complex, and more than a little weird. I'll need to think about this a little more, and write a more thorough post tomorrow before the men's final. Among Kim's last words in her winner's dialog with Mary Jo Fernandez: "I'm kind of eager to go home and live the family life again."
See you all tomorrow -
Pete