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Saturday September 26, 2009

Clijsters gets picky Belgian opts for quality over quantity next year

TESSENDERLO (Belgium): US Open champion Kim Clijsters said on Thursday she will play the four Grand Slams in 2010, as well as the Fed Cup and half a dozen more tournaments.

Clijsters will be counting on quality rather than quantity as she tries to work her way back into the top 10 of the world rankings following her two-year maternity break.

“I’m not going to base my programme on the world rankings because I want to concentrate on the Grand Slam tournaments,” the Belgian said, adding that this would leave time for her baby girl and family life.

Fresh from her second Grand Slam victory in New York after two years in retirement, the 26-year-old will start the season at the Brisbane International from Jan 3 in preparation for the Australian Open.

Clijsters: ‘My main goal is to make sure my husband and daughter are happy.’ — AP

She will follow that with Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, Cincinnati, Montreal, the US Open, Beijing and the Masters in Doha, if she qualifies.

Belgium take on Poland in Group Two of the Fed Cup in February.

Clijsters won her only previous Grand Slam title in 2005 at Flushing Meadows after losing four Grand Slam finals.

For three weeks in August 2003, Clijsters was world number one for both women’s singles and doubles, and has won 35 singles and 11 doubles titles.

The Belgian, who triumphed in New York 11 days ago in only her third tournament back on the tour, has employed an intense training regime as she tries to balance her duties as a mother with her tennis commitments.

“The quality of the time I put in is a lot higher now. In the past I could train maybe 4-5 hours, but the intensity wasn’t always 200 per cent. Now I prefer to train for two hours but the intensity is there for 200 per cent,” said Clijsters.

Although her 2010 itinerary is in stark contrast to her earlier playing days, when she would compete in 22 to 23 events a year, it still appears punishing for a young mother.

Clijsters, ranked 17th in the world after just a month back on the circuit, said she was confident she could successfully plan a schedule that would not disrupt her 18-month-old daughter Jada’s routine too much.

“I can’t play well if I’m not happy personally, so obviously my main goal is to make sure that my husband and our daughter are happy and are not struggling with the whole situation,” the former world number one said. — Agencies


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