Kim Clijsters is not done with tennis and she is ready to challenge the likes of Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams in Miami. The former world no.1 looked to be in good form last summer, but eventually she crashed out in the 1st round of the US Open. At 37 years of age and after 3 children, it was expected that Clijsters would have struggled from a physical point of view. Kim had to cope with some abdominal and knee issues, but it seems that she is now ready to give it another try.
Clijsters and Miami Open
Kim Clijsters accepted a wild card for the Miami Open as the tournament will be staged from the 22nd of March. Clijsters conquered the tournament on 2 occasions in 2005 and 2010. Her run in 2005 was quite impressive (details).
The top favorites to win the title in Miami will be Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams. The American sensation has already won the tournament in Florida on 8 occasions!
Clijsters will also compete in Charleston on the 5th of April. Kim was meant to play the WTA500 event also last year before it was canceled because of the pandemic.
Kim Clijsters in 2021
Now the world no., the Belgian played her last match on the 1st of September 2020 when she was defeated by Ekaterina Alexandrova 3-6 7-5 6-1 in the 1st round of the U.S. Open (draw).
Naomi Osaka in 2021
Ranked no.2, the Japanese played her last match on the 20th of February when she beat Jennifer Brady 6-4 6-3 in the final of the Australian Open to win her 7th career title.
Currently, during this year Naomi has achieved an overall 10-0 record. The Japanese has won 1 title at the Australian Open.
Serena Williams in 2021
Now ranked no.7, Serena Williams played her last match on the 18th of February when she was overcome by Naomi Osaka 6-3 6-4 in the semifinal of the Australian Open (draw).
Until now, during this year Serena Williams has achieved a 8-1 match record. Serena Williams’s best achievement of the current season was reaching the semifinal in Melbourne and at the Australian Open.
Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams played each other 4 times. Their current head to head is 3-1 for Osaka. Previously, the last time they played each other, Naomi Osaka won 6-3 6-4 in the semifinal in Melbourne (Australian Open) on the 18th of February 2021.
In the video below you can watch the highlights.
