Clijsters on effect of relationship with Hewitt: "I realize how important that part of my life has been in my development in tennis"

Kim Clijsters had a high-profile relationship with Lleyton Hewitt during a time when both were really good at tennis and among the best in the world.

It was a 4-year relationship that seemed like one that was destined to succeed considering how well it was going for a good amount. They were actually engaged in 2003 but split a year later. They were both ranked number one during the time they dated and in a recent episode of the Craig Shapiro podcast, Clijsters talked about it:

"Being in a relationship with Lleyton (Hewitt) was something that, I learned a lot from him, and from the coaches that he was working with. He worked with Darren Cahill, who, to me, is the greatest coach we have in our sport. Even Roger Rasheed."

She added:

"Just to be on court with those guys and to see how they approached Lleyton and how Lleyton worked, it was all a huge learning process for me as a young teenager."

And on Lleyton:

"He (Hewitt) was very committed and focused, and just so professional. Now that I'm older, I realize how important that part of my life has been in my development in tennis. The effort, the patience."