“Is this it?”: Kim Clijsters reflects on emotional void after first Grand Slam title

Tuesday, 05 May 2026 at 04:30

Kim Clijsters has revisited the immediate aftermath of her first Grand Slam title in 2005, describing a reaction defined less by sustained celebration than by relief and rapid return to routine. Speaking on the Love All Podcast, the former world No. 1 reflected on the period following her breakthrough win after four previous defeats in major finals.

Clijsters won her first Grand Slam singles title in 2005 after losing her opening four finals at the highest level: French Open (2001, 2003), US Open (2003), Australian Open (2004)

At the time, she was already established as one of the leading players on the WTA Tour, having reached No. 1 in the rankings earlier in her career, but without a major singles title.

She described the immediate post-match sequence as dominated by formal obligations, including trophy ceremonies and media duties, with limited space for reflection.

Immediate aftermath of a Grand Slam title

Clijsters placed her recollection in 2005, when she secured her first major singles title after reaching four prior finals without winning. She said the immediate emotional response was relief rather than extended joy, followed by a rapid return to routine tournament logistics.

The Belgian noted that once official ceremonies and interviews were completed, the experience shifted quickly to solitude and preparation for departure.

“I do think I felt very relieved that I was able to finally win one after losing my first four Grand Slam finals in singles,” Clijsters said. “You’re happy in the first few minutes, but then that feeling goes away pretty quickly, and you have all the formalities, right? That you do the trophy ceremony, you have your interviews that you do.”

“And I remember that night just getting back to my hotel room and just sitting in my hotel room by myself. I wasn’t married yet. I didn’t have Jada or anything. It was just me in my hotel room, and everybody from the team went to their room. I just sat there and started packing because I was flying home the next day.”

She also referenced the physical remnants of competition still present in that moment, including match clothing and equipment, as part of the contrast between achievement and routine departure.

“And I was like, is this what it was like for Steffi? That serious player, because I was a little girl. I was like, I want to win a Grand Slam like she did. And I want to become number one one day. And then I sat there and I was like, huh, this is it. I won. And look at me, like I have my dirty clothes here. I’ve got my sweaty outfit from earlier. And then, yeah, I got to pack everything for tomorrow.”

Career context, pressure and short-lived “glow”

Clijsters reached the No. 1 ranking for the first time in 2003 and was already among the established figures on the WTA Tour by the time of her 2005 Grand Slam breakthrough. She had previously reached multiple major finals without converting them into titles, a sequence she directly referenced when describing the emotional weight of the win.

She said the recognition following a major title persisted in professional environments, particularly during subsequent tournaments where champions are formally introduced with their recent achievements. However, she described the internal competitive environment as quickly shifting focus to results.

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“I don’t think the glow lasted very long. I do think in general people for a long time congratulate you, and it’s really nice. Like when you go to the next tournament and then they announce you as the US Open champion, like those were moments where I was like, oh wow, like that sounds really great. But I don’t want to lose now because that will make it look like… so you constantly have that inner voice battle.”

Clijsters also referenced her decision to step away from the tour not long after her 2005 success, linking it to a sense of completion at the time rather than ongoing pursuit of results.

“Not long after I won in 2005, I retired from playing. To me, like I said, it was such a relief and that I felt like, okay, all this other BS, like I did what I wanted to do in tennis. I was number one. I won a Slam now and I just don’t want to deal with all the other BS that comes with it.”

Kim Clijsters - Grand Slam Finals

(4 titles, 4 runner-ups)

Result	Year	Championship	Opponent	Score
Loss	2001	French Open	Jennifer Capriati	6–1, 4–6, 10–12
Loss	2003	French Open	Justine Henin	0–6, 4–6
Loss	2003	US Open	Justine Henin	5–7, 1–6
Loss	2004	Australian Open	Justine Henin	3–6, 6–4, 3–6
Win	2005	US Open	Mary Pierce	6–3, 6–1
Win	2009	US Open (2)	Caroline Wozniacki	7–5, 6–3
Win	2010	US Open (3)	Vera Zvonareva	6–2, 6–1
Win	2011	Australian Open	Li Na	3–6, 6–3, 6–3

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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