Diamonds forever like Clijsters's decision

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-02-14 09:02

Belgium's Kim Clijsters will not reconsider her decision to retire at the end of the season, even if she secures this week's Diamond Games title in Antwerp, she said on Tuesday.

If the world number four wins this week, she will be entitled to return next year and attempt to win a diamond studded racket worth one million euros ($1.30 million) which is awarded for three title wins in five years at Antwerp.

Clijsters won the title in 2004 and was a losing finalist in 2003 and 2006 when she was defeated by French world number three Amelie Mauresmo who is aiming to claim the racket this week.

"No, I have made my decision and will not change my mind. Even for this," Clijsters told Reuters.

But the second seed, who is nursing a cold, said she hoped her country's historic Davis Cup victory over Australia last weekend would carry her to a famous farewell appearance in front of her home crowd.

Belgium reached the Davis Cup quarter-finals and a meeting with Germany after beating Australia for the first time following two previous whitewashes.

"I spent all weekend in bed watching it and what an emotional three days and what an inspiration," she said.

"It's always special for a Belgian team in front of their home crowd, just like our Fed Cup team, and the crowd is always amazing."

The second seed said she felt ready for her assault which starts on Wednesday after missing last week's Paris Open with a hip injury.

"As you know I have had problems going into this tournament before with wrist and hip injuries but this time, other than a cold, I feel physically great for the first time," Clijsters said.

The former U.S. Open champion, who faces Russia's Olga Poutchkova in the second round on Wednesday, said she was not thinking about Sunday's final and a scripted end to what will be an emotional week for her.

"It's very hard to talk about that (the final) right now and I just need to get healthy and ready. I never think too far ahead," she said.



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