**Kim Clijsters Opens Up About Her Career Highs and Rivalry with Serena Williams**
In 2003, Kim Clijsters achieved a career milestone by ascending to the top of the WTA rankings in both singles and doubles, marking a significant accomplishment in her tennis career. Her rise to the singles pinnacle was noteworthy, particularly because Serena Williams, the dominant force in women’s tennis at the time, was sidelined by injury for much of the season.
Reflecting on this achievement in a recent episode of the ‘Served with Andy Roddick’ podcast, Clijsters expressed mixed feelings about her Number 1 ranking. She candidly revealed, “I almost felt unworthy. It was my first time at the top, and without having won a Grand Slam, there were questions from the media about whether I deserved it, especially since Serena, when she did play, was winning almost everything.”
Acknowledging Williams’ superiority during that period, Clijsters admitted, “She was clearly the better player that year. I played more tournaments and was consistent, but those comments from the media did affect me.”
The rivalry between Clijsters and Williams extended beyond rankings battles. They clashed on the court nine times, with Williams emerging victorious in seven encounters. Their competitive dynamic often drew attention from both fans and media, highlighting their contrasting styles and intense matches.
A notable off-court incident occurred during the 2011 Australian Open final, where Clijsters faced Li Na. Serena Williams’ mother, Oracene Price, expressed support for Li Na, seemingly taking a dig at Clijsters. Price remarked, “I hope Na isn’t nervous to kick some butt,” and hinted at favoring Li Na over “dubious people,” a comment widely interpreted as directed towards Clijsters.
Despite the external noise, Clijsters remained focused and went on to defeat Li Na, securing her maiden Australian Open title and fourth Grand Slam overall.
The rivalry and occasional off-court tensions between Clijsters and Williams added a layer of intrigue to their matches, underscoring their competitive spirit and the complexities of professional tennis rivalries.
As Clijsters continues to reflect on her career milestones and the challenges she faced, her journey remains a testament to resilience and determination in the world of elite tennis.
