Lei clijsters biography

KIM CLIJSTERS ALWAYS SAW THE BIG PICTURE

There was a refreshing, seamless quality to Kim Clijsters, a smooth, unpretentious manner that enabled her to manage the ups and downs of the tennis life with grace and kindness.  Whether in victory or defeat, through injuries and tragedy, life as a player, life as a child or life as a parent, the public Clijsters never lost sight of the big picture, never forgot that she was fortunate to earn a living as an athlete and that tennis’ competitive pressures were indeed a privilege.  Most of all, Clijsters demonstrated that what mattered most wasn’t if you won, but how you conducted yourself.      

A major reason for Clijsters’ no-nonsense attitude was that she’d grown up in an athletic household.  Her father, Lei, had been a professional soccer player.  Her mother, Els, was a national gymnastics champion.  Certainly her parents’ prowess in these sports helped Clijsters learn much about such fundamental concepts as footwork and balance – including perhaps the trademark splits move she would employ thr

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