Kim Clijsters

Kim Clijsters

As defending champion Kim Clijsters advances to the quarterfinals in the Australian Open, we are reminded that this three-time U.S. Open champion (2005, 2009, 2010) is a fellow relauncher whose strong and stunning U.S. Open win followed a two-year break from the pro circuit after the birth of her daughter.

After attaining the #1 ranking in 2005, the right-handed Belgian, citing injuries and lack of motivation, left professional tennis in 2007 at age 23.  She announced she was looking forward to life with soon-to-be-husband Brian Lynch, an American basketball player who plays for the Belgian Antwerp Giants, and starting a family. 

After her daughter Jada was born in February 2008, Clijsters was home full time with her, and also with her father, who was terminally ill with lung cancer, and who died at age 52 in January 2009.  Tennis was definitely on the back burner. 

It wasn't until Clijsters was asked in February 2009 to participate in an exhibition doubles match in May against Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi to celebrate the new Wimbledon retractable roof completion that she began practicing and thinking seriously about returning. Not sure where it would lead, she followed her instinct and found a refreshing, new-found love for the game, but with a new and different twist -- she would make the game a part of her life that she controlled, and not let the rigors of elite level tennis control her as in the past. 

It paid off.  A mature perspective gained from her time away from the sport, mental resilience, thoughtful consideration of her work-life "fit" (read more about "work-life fit" from Cali Yost here), and using her time at work with a focused intensity and efficiency, Clijsters demonstrates the traits that make "relaunchers" such excellent employees, entrepreneurs, and sports stars.

A big congratulations to Kim Clijsters, mom, wife, tennis pro, "relauncher," U.S. Open Champion, and Australian Open quarter-finalist!  Best of luck - we are rooting for you.