Comeback queen Clijsters will miss Sugiyama

Kim Clijsters, herself just back from a two-year retirement, says the tennis world will miss her former doubles partner Ai Sugiyama, the 34-year-old Japanese veteran who has announced her retirement.

Sugiyama confirmed the end of her career after being ousted from the US Open, although she will make a farewell bow in a Tokyo event later this month.

“She’s going to be missed,” Clijsters said Saturday after beating Serena Williams in a US Open semi-final. “I think she always is laughing as well. That’s something that was nice to see on tour with her.” Clijsters, trying to become only the third mom in tennis history to win a Grand Slam singles title, credited Sugiyama with helping make her the player, the champion, that she is today.

“Ai told me actually a few weeks ago already that this was going to be her last Grand Slam,” Clijsters said. “It’s sad. She has been such a mentor for me in a lot of different ways. Her mother, as well.”

Clijsters recalled her youthful days on tour and the friendliness Sugiyama and her mum gave so warmly.

“When my dad and I were traveling we got along so well with them. Went out to dinner together. Just very, very special. Very warm people,” Clijsters said.

“She really helped me make my game better, just by at a young age being able to play with someone who had so much experience. I was able to practice with her. Some of my best practice sessions have been with her.

“Over the years, even still now, to my coach now, I still talk about that, how special it was to be able to hit with her when I was 15, 16 and to be able to play doubles with her.”

There was a special sadness when Clijsters learned so soon after her own return that Sugiyama would be leaving.

“When I heard it, I was like, ‘Oh no,’ because I’m back now and you kind of want to enjoy it a little bit together,” Clijsters said.

“She’s a girl who will always give 200 percent even if she’s not feeling well or if she injuries or anything, she’ll always give 200 percent.

She has had a very consistent and a very professional career. I know she does a lot of things outside of tennis, rubber bands for the hair and everything. She has that going for her and she has a lot of stores.”

NEW YORK, AFP