Flipkens reflects on Clijsters storied career

One of the most exciting matches in Kim Clijsters’ storied career happens to be a loss — a 1-6, 6-4, 12-10 defeat in her first Grand Slam final, against Jennifer Capriati at the 2001 French Open. Sitting in the Belgian’s box that day was former world No. 13 Kirsten Flipkens.

“I was crying like a little baby because I was so disappointed, but also so proud at the same time,” Flipkens said ahead of the New York Empire’s World TeamTennis match against the Orange County Breakers on Thursday evening. “That’s one of the nicest and most honest and most pure feeling and memories that I have, I think.”

Fittingly enough, Baseline spoke to Flipkens at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, where Clijsters played her final professional tournament at the 2012 US Open. Flipkens, one of Clijsters’ closest friends, also played doubles with her at the event. They lost in the opening round against Chia-Jung Chang and Shuai Zhang on a raucous Court 4.

“It was really a great honor of course to be playing next to her, but I think it was strange, Kim playing here her last match,” Flipkens said. “I remember it like it was yesterday. She lost to Laura Robson I think in the second round. It was one of the hardest moments I had, to see her, watch her play her last match.”

Nearly five years later, Clijsters will enter the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday. The Belgian won four Grand Slams and reached as high as world No. 1.

“It’s amazing,” Flipkens said. “I think here in the States it lifts a little more than in Belgium, but I think it’s amazing. I mean she’s a great champion and she deserves to be in the Hall of Fame and I think it’s a great honor for her to be there.”

Playing doubles in Clijsters’ last tournament is not the only memory Flipkens has with her friend. The Belgians, who are three years apart, played their only professional singles match in Louis Armstrong Stadium at the 2009 US Open, which Clijsters would win.

“It was really strange because we were like so close, so we felt more like we were going to go and play a doubles match. That was the same feeling she had,” Flipkens said. “It was really funny because at the end you step on the court and you go on each side of the net, but it was a nice experience for me. But of course it was difficult to play a friend who was as close as that.”

Flipkens is nothing but excited about her friend’s induction this weekend, joining the best in tennis history enshrined in Newport, RI.

"I think it’s just an honor for Belgian tennis overall," she said. "I think we’re such a small country and a champion like Kim getting into the Hall of Fame is just unbelievable. I think it’s a great achievement and it’s what a great champion deserves."

Follow Andrew on Twitter: @andrewikesports

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