NEW YORK – Her daughter Jada cradled in one arm and a silver trophy tucked under the other, Kim Clijsters proved motherhood and sporting excellence can go hand-in-hand when the Belgian won her second US Open title on Sunday.
Never before had a curly haired 18-month-old toddler stolen the show on Arthur Ashe Stadium, but this was no ordinary day at Flushing Meadows.It was a day when Belgian wildcard Clijsters beat Danish teenager Caroline Wozniacki 7-5 6-3 to become the first mother to win a grand slam title since Evonne Goolagong achieved the feat almost three decades ago at Wimbledon in 1980. ‘We tried to plan her naptime a little bit later so she could be here today. It’s the greatest feeling in the world, being a mother,’ a glassy-eyed Clijsters told the cheering crowd after her heart-tugging comeback win at the hardcourt major. Wozniacki, who had been bidding to become the first Danish woman to win a grand slam singles title, said: ‘She’s such a great girl. Unfortunately she beat me today. She played a great match and deserved this trophy.’ A journey that began with the Belgian taking baby steps back into top flight tennis only last month — following a two-year sabbatical came full circle in just 35 days as she claimed her second US Open prize. – Nampa-AFP
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