Kim Clijsters inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame

Kim Clijsters is one of the most accomplished players in WTA Tour history. The Belgian superstar was honored with an induction into the Tennis Hall of Fame.

Between 2001 and 2012, there were few players on the WTA Tour who commanded as much respect as Kim Clijsters. The Belgian phenom was an unflappable force and an inspirationally resilient superstar who overcame great adversity.

In honor of what can only be described as a legendary career, Clijsters has been immortalized as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.

Clijsters was named WTA Player of the Year on two separate occasions. That’s a testament to just how brilliant she was during an era that included the likes of the Williams sisters, Justine Henin, and Maria Sharapova.

With the Grand Slam event that Clijsters so thoroughly dominated approaching, it’s only fitting that she has officially been inducted into the Hall of Fame.

That’s an incredible honor for one of the true legends of the sport.

Clijsters achieved world No. 1 rankings in both singles and doubles competition in August of 2003. That puts her in a class with just five other WTA players: Martina Navratilova, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport, and Serena Williams.

Between her singles and doubles careers, Clijsters won every Grand Slam event, as well as three Tour Finals.

Clijsters reached the final or semifinals at five consecutive Grand Slam events between the 2004 and 2005 Australian Open. Unfortunately, injuries forced her out of the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open in 2005, as well as the 2006 Australian Open, and threatened to force retirement.

The resilient Clijsters pushed through, bouncing back to win her first career Grand Slam event at the US Open in 2005.

Unfortunately, Clijsters retired in 2007, cutting her season short and citing the recurring injuries. After sitting out 10 consecutive Grand Slam events and giving birth to her daughter, however, Clijsters made an unbelievable return to tennis.

Clijsters shocked the masses by winning the 2009 US Open, thus becoming the first unranked women’s player to win a Grand Slam event, and the first mother to win a Slam since 1980.

Clijsters would go on to add a third US Open title to her trophy case in 2010, and won the Australian Open in 2011. Clijsters also won the French Open and Wimbledon doubles titles in 2003, thus giving her a unique semblance of the career Grand Slam.

In honor of her remarkable resilience, unrivaled work ethic, and undeniable greatness, Kim Clijsters has been inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame.

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A deserved honor for a legend of the sport.