Clijsters WTA Player of the Year
Kim Clijsters, whose five titles in 2010 included her second US Open
crown in a row, was named the WTA Player of the Year in awards voting
announced by the tour on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old Belgian, who also won the award in 2005, won at
Brisbane, Miami, Cincinnati and the season-ending WTA Championships in
Doha as well as taking her third title at Flushing Meadows.
Just one year after making a comeback following a break to rest
injuries and start a family, Clijsters was voted the top honor in a
balloting of players as well as the Player Service award for supporting
women's tennis off the court.
"It's really nice to win the Player of the Year award just one year
after making a comeback," Clijsters said. "While I didn't think it would
come so quickly, I am thrilled.
"This year I met a lot of new girls and it was very nice that so many
of them had positive reactions to my daughter Jada as well."
Justine Henin, who returned to the WTA last January, was voted WTA
Comeback Player of the Year.
She reached the Brisbane final, losing to compatriot Clijsters in her
first tournament back, and was the Australian Open runner-up in her
first major after a one-year break.
Henin won titles on Stuttgart clay and on grass at 's-Hertogenbosch.
Russian star Maria Sharapova won Humanitarian of the Year for her
work as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador.
She visited Chernobyl and spent time with children affected by the
disaster there.
Argentina's Gisela Dulko and Italy's Flavia Pennetta won doubles team
of the year honors. St. Petersburg, Florida, AFP |