Kim Clijsters becomes honorary president of the tennis Hall of Fame

Former tennis champion Kim Cljsters has been named honorary president of the international tennis "Hall of Fame" (ITHF).

Clijsters will represent the organisation in an ambassadorial role and will also "collaborate with ITHF staff and tennis industry partners on initiatives that support the ITHF's mission to preserve and celebrate tennis history", the institution said in a press release.

The Flemish tennis icon from Bree (Limburg province) succeeds Stan Smith in this role, and becomes the first woman and the first European to hold this position.

"I am always looking forward to finding a new way to be actively involved in tennis. I look forward to helping the organisation continue to grow and thrive"

"I am thrilled and humbled by this new opportunity to serve the sport. The International Tennis Hall of Fame is doing important and inspiring work through its preservation efforts, impactful content and celebrations", Clijsters commented.

"I am always looking forward to finding a new way to be actively involved in tennis. I look forward to helping the organisation continue to grow and thrive, and connecting tennis fans around the world with the incredible history of our sport."

Kim Clijsters was inducted into the tennis hall of fame in 2017. The former world No.1 was recognized for her brilliant career during which she won six Grand Slam titles, four in singles and two in doubles.

After wanting to make a new return to the WTA professional circuit in 2020, an attempt disrupted by the Covid pandemic, she announced last April she would put away her rackets for good at 38 years of age.

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© BELGA PHOTO YORICK JANSENS