by Naomi C. When Belgian tennis is mentioned, two names quickly come to mind, Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin-Hardenne. Soon however, another name may be mentioned in the same breath, the name Kirsten Flipkens. Whilst her more famous compatriots elected to chance their arms on the WTA circuit at an earlier age, Kirsten elected to remain on the junior circuit. That decision to continue her junior career longer than most in recent times has certainly provided rich dividends for the young Flemish Belgian. She is now the World’s number 1 junior and will become crowned the 2003 Girls Junior World Champion. Kirsten was born on the 10th of January 1986 in Geel Belgium, she now lives in Mol. At the age of 6 Kirsten first began to play tennis and she immediately fell in love with the game. Ever since that first introduction she has enjoyed every moment on the court and held aspirations of a professional career. Like her idol Kim Clijsters who she refers to as like an older sister to her, Kirsten attended the Flemish Tennis Federation in Antwerp to hone her tennis game and improve it to a level required to play internationally. Kirsten and Kim have been friends since they were young girls and throughout 2003 Kirsten was a constant present at Kim’s grand slam matches whilst Kim reciprocated by being presented at Flipkens’ grand slam triumphs. In fact after her first junior grand slam at Wimbledon they cried together in the locker room. Kirsten first introduced herself to the tennis world at the 2002 Junior US Open where she won the junior girl’s doubles event alongside Elke Clijsters (who finished 2002 as the World’s Junior Girls Doubles Champion). Kirsten learnt a lot from that victory and earlier this year accepted wild cards into both the singles and doubles events at the WTA event in Antwerp – The Proximus Diamond Games. Kirsten was unfortunately eliminated in the first round of the singles by Myriam Casanova, but none the less she had made her WTA debut. In the doubles Kirsten once again teamed with Elke and they successfully won a match and reached the second round. The highlights of 2003 however, are undoubtedly the last two grand slams, Wimbledon and the US Open both of which now have the name Kirsten Flipkens inscribed on the junior champion’s trophy. Kirsten was named the ITF Junior Champion at the close of the 2003 season, she was also awarded the Belgian Rising Star award at the Belgian Sport’s Awards and also pocketed the VTV young player of the year award which is awarded to the VTV player most likely to succeed on the professional circuit. Kirsten has successfully won two 10K challenger events, both last year, in Koksijde at home in Belgium and in Petange, Luxembourg. Kirsten is currently ranked 610 on the WTA tour but has now turned professional and will playing challenger events to improve her ranking. Remember this name because that ranking is sure to rise!