Kim Clijsters is a retired Belgian professional tennis player with an estimated net worth of $20 million. Known for her explosive athleticism, powerful baseline game, and remarkable comebacks, Clijsters is regarded as one of the most successful and respected players of her generation.
Across her career, she won multiple Grand Slam titles in both singles and doubles and spent time as World No. 1 in both disciplines, cementing her place among tennis greats.
| Kim Clijsters Net Worth | $20 Million |
| Date of Birth | June 8, 1983 |
| Place of Birth | Bilzen, Belgium |
Early Life
Kim Clijsters was born on June 8, 1983, in Bilzen, Belgium, into a highly athletic family.
Her mother, Els, was a national gymnastics champion, while her father, Lei, was a professional footballer in Belgium. With such a strong sporting background, Clijsters and her younger sister Elke both began playing tennis at an early age.
She trained under several coaches in Belgium, including Benny Vanhoudt, Carl Maes, and Wim Fissette, who helped shape her into a future world champion.
Junior Success
Clijsters quickly stood out as a junior player.
She won early titles in Belgium and Europe alongside future rival Justine Henin, including doubles victories in junior competitions.
By the late 1990s, she had already captured junior Grand Slam doubles titles at both the French Open and the US Open, signaling her rise toward the professional level.
ITF Circuit
Clijsters began competing on the ITF Women’s Circuit in 1997 and won her first professional titles in 1998 in Brussels, claiming both singles and doubles trophies.
By 1999, she had fully transitioned to the WTA Tour, quickly making an impact with strong performances and consistent deep runs in tournaments.
She won her first WTA title early in her career and soon became one of the most promising young players in women’s tennis.
Rise on the WTA Tour
Between 2001 and 2003, Clijsters emerged as one of the top players in the world.
Her achievements during this period included:
- French Open singles final appearance (2001)
- Wimbledon doubles final appearance
- WTA Tour Championships victory (2002, defeating Serena Williams)
- Multiple WTA titles across singles and doubles
In 2003, she reached the peak of her career, winning nine singles titles, reaching 15 finals, and posting an incredible 90–12 match record.
She also became World No. 1 in both singles and doubles, establishing herself as one of the dominant players in tennis.
Grand Slam Success
Clijsters’ breakthrough Grand Slam success came in 2005 when she won her first major singles title at the US Open.
That same year, she also achieved:
- A tour-best nine titles
- WTA Player of the Year honors
- A career-high ranking of World No. 2
She later added more Grand Slam victories, including multiple US Open titles and an Australian Open championship in 2011.
Career Earnings
Throughout her career, Clijsters earned approximately $24.5 million in prize money.
At one point, she ranked among the top 20 highest-earning women in tennis history.
Her biggest single payout came at the 2005 US Open, where she earned approximately $2.2 million, which was then a record prize in women’s sports.
Endorsements
Beyond prize money, Clijsters built a strong endorsement portfolio.
She partnered with major international brands including:
- Fila (apparel sponsor)
- Babolat (racquets)
- Citizen Watches
- USANA Health Sciences
- Telenet
- Adecco
- Thomas Cook Group
She was also known for being highly selective about sponsorships, famously declining deals that conflicted with her personal values, including a Nutella endorsement.
Retirement
Clijsters initially retired in 2007 due to injuries but made a stunning comeback in 2009.
That year, she became the first unseeded woman to win the US Open, a historic achievement.
She continued her comeback success in 2010 and 2011, winning multiple titles including:
- US Open (2010)
- Australian Open (2011)
After a second retirement in 2012, she briefly returned again between 2020 and 2022, though injuries and the pandemic limited her appearances.
Fed Cup
Clijsters was also a key player for Belgium in international competition.
She helped Belgium win its first Fed Cup title in 2001 and represented her country across multiple editions of the tournament.
She also competed in the Olympics and Hopman Cup, further strengthening her international legacy.
Personal Life
Clijsters was previously engaged to Australian tennis star Lleyton Hewitt, though the relationship ended before marriage.
In 2007, she married American basketball player Brian Lynch. The couple has three children together and divides their time between Belgium and the United States.
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