Kim and Elke to pair up in Antwerp

By Naomi C

            Kim Clijsters was originally planned to play her first match in Antwerp on Tuesday evening in the second round of the singles event. This was announced some months ago and the session was sold out, with the home crowd keen to get a glimpse of Kim. However, once the singles draw was made, a complication arose. Kim was of course awarded a bye as the second seed, but was drawn to play either a qualifier or her sister wild card Elke Clijsters in round 2. The final round of qualifications takes place on Monday and therefore whoever the qualifier is could not be expected to then front up for the first round against Elke just a few hours later. As a result Elke’s first round match can not take place till Tuesday and so Kim will not be able to play her first singles till Wednesday Afternoon.

            In consultation with both Kim and Elke, tournament organiser Bob Verbeek hatched an ingenious plan.  Kim and Elke are late entrants into the doubles draw and will play their first match on Tuesday evening in the place of what was to be Kim’s first doubles match.

            After the match Kim will as pre planned be presented with the Belgian Sports Personality of the Year Award which she won in January. Kim was unable to attend the award ceremony as she was in Sydney and it was only one week till the Australian Open. Kim will be presented with the award by Close friend and last year’s winner Marc Herremans. Belgium’s probable entrant to the Eurovision song contest will also perform.

            Kim’s prestigious doubles career is well known, two grand slam titles, a stint at number 1 and in total 11 doubles titles. Elke on the other hand has also begun to forge herself a nice career on the doubles court and is perceived as a better doubles player than singles player. In 2002 Elke finished as the Junior Girls Doubles World Champion after winning the Junior Wimbledon and Junior US Open Doubles titles as well as various other titles. Elke also made the quarterfinals of the Proximus Diamond Games in Antwerp on the doubles court last year alongside Kirsten Flipkens with whom she took out the Junior US Open title.

            Those spectators who purchased tickets to see Kim’s singles can exchange their ticket for a Wednesday session ticket, however one would presume most would be happy to witness the WTA debut of the Clijsters’ sisters. Just for the record the pair have not played together since they took out an under 14 international junior tournament in Belgium some years ago.