"I never thought I'd experience this after retirement": Kim Clijsters suffers Achilles tendon rupture during exhibition match
While participating in a tournament featuring former players, Clijsters suffered an Achilles tendon rupture. The Belgian former star, who underwent successful surgery, is sharing her recovery journey and surprise at this post-retirement injury.
It's rare for former players to suffer serious injuries after their professional careers. Yet this is exactly what happened this week to former champion Kim Clijsters.
The four-time Grand Slam winner was competing at the Luxembourg Tennis Ladies Masters, an exhibition tournament that has brought together former WTA stars since 2022. During her match against Alizé Cornet, the Belgian collapsed to the ground, victim of an Achilles tendon rupture.
The 42-year-old former player provided updates on her social media, confirming she had undergone successful surgery for this injury:
"As you can see, I'm in the hospital after suffering an Achilles tendon rupture yesterday in a tournament in Luxembourg. It's not great, but I'm now on the road to recovery.
For the next two weeks, I'll have to wear this boot. I never thought I'd suffer such an injury after my retirement, but that's how it goes."
Clijsters, a former world No. 1, had taken her third retirement in 2022 after making two comebacks to the tour in 2009 and then 2020.
