Kim Clijsters' career as a tennis player has come to an end today after losing to Britain's Laura Robson (7-6, 7-6) in the second round of the US Open.
The loss marked Clijsters' retirement and broke her 22-match winning streak at the US Open. Her last lost at the US Open was in 2003, which at the time her opponent Robson was only nine-years-old.
Robson, now 18-years-old, was ranked 89th in tennis play, definitely high compared to Clijsters' 25th rank.
"This completely feels like the perfect place to retire. I just wish it wasn't today," said Clijsters, shortly after her loss.
The 2012 US Open was Clijsters' return after two and a half years. She previously won three US Open titles (2005, 2009, and 2010). Clijsters entered the professional tennis world in 1997 and initially retired back in 2007 to focus on her family and to recover from injuries.
The Belgian returned to the sport in 2009 and would play in an exhibition at Wimbledon. Her championship win at the 2009 US Open marked the first time a mother won a Grand Slam title since 1980, with Evonne Goolagong Cawley. She would win again in 2010, a feat not done since Venus Williams.
"Laura played extremely well," Clijsters said. "I just wasn't good enough for the match."
She added, "Every time I came back here I was inspired. "This has been a great adventure for my family, and I look forward to the next part of my life.
Her career isn't over just yet, as she is set to play in the US Open's doubles with Kirsten Flipkens and in mixed-doubles with Bob Bryan.
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