There has been so much fairytale in Kim Clijsters’ return to the sport, that you forget that sometimes things are just not meant to be.
Her win in New York three years ago, her title defence in New York two years ago, followed by her first title here in Melbourne last year … there have been some charmed times for the KimBack Kid.
Admittedly, there have also been a lot of not-so-charmed times. The plague of injuries that forced her to miss the French Open in 2010 and Wimbledon in 2011, right up to rolling her wobbly ankle again just a few days ago, it is testament to the Belgian’s extraordinary perseverance that her second comeback has lasted as long as it has.
But the moment she let loose and saved four match points against Li Na in the fourth round, achieving the ‘Kimpossible,’ as people put it, there was a whisper that perhaps destiny was knocking on the Clijsters trophy cabinet yet again.
After all, what could be more perfect than a win for Aussie Kim on Australia Day to reach the Australian Open final in what is likely to be her last Australian Open?
On this occasion, the tennis loom didn’t end up weaving that tale.
... Ultimately, let the disappointment of the semifinal not take anything away from Clijsters’ achievements over the two weeks. A Grand Slam semifinal, with almost no form, and an ankle so bad that if this event was beginning next week, she wouldn’t play. Thus she still achieved what for many would have been impossible.
read: Sad farewell for 'Aussie' Kim
yes, she will definitely be missed. ): but of course, let's remember that she's been having a pretty darn kick-ass comeback!!