"A huge Coco Gauff fan" - Kim Clijsters lays bare daughter Jada's admiration for former US Open champion after appearance at Flushing Meadows
Kim Clijsters recently opened up about her daughter Jada's admiration for Coco Gauff. Clijsters' admission came during a conversation with former ATP World No. 1 Andy Roddick.
The Belgian, a former WTA World No. 1 in both singles and doubles, married American former basketball player and present-day coach Brian Lynch in 2007, and the very next year, the couple welcomed their first child, daughter Jada. At the time, Clijsters was inactive, having previously announced her retirement from professional tennis, with the 2007 Australian Open marking her last Grand Slam outing.
However, the Belgian made a remarkable comeback in 2009 and went on to win the US Open women's singles title as a wildcard and, more significantly, a mother, defeating Caroline Wozniacki in the final.
Ahead of the women's singles final at this year's edition of the hardcourt Major, Clijsters received a call from the tournament's director of player relations, Eric Butorac, who urged the former No. 1 to do the coin toss for the final alongside daughter Jada.
Kim Clijsters was recently featured as a guest on the Served With Andy Roddick podcast and shared her exchange with Butorac.
"I got a text message from him (Eric Butorac). He was like, 'Hey! I know it's been 15 years since the year that you won the title as a mom in 2009. Would you be willing to do the coin toss with Jada?' And I was like, 'Oh! Umm...', you know obviously with all the things happening that day, 'why don't you reach out to Jada if she's even willing to do it?' because she's usually like, 'No, I don't wanna do any of this'," Kim Clijsters told Andy Roddick (at 4:57).
The Belgian went on to hilariously reveal how she almost had to tempt Jada into being a part of the coin toss by telling her that NBA living legend Stephen Curry would be in attendance at the final. Clijsters proceeded to talk about Jada's enthusiasm for 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff's off-court activities.
"So kind of told her like, 'Hey! I heard Steph Curry's gonna be there.' So she doesn't follow tennis too much. She's a huge Coco Gauff fan. Like, anything Coco does, basically off court, even more than the stuff she does on the court, is what she really really likes," Kim Clijsters added.
Ultimately, both Clijsters and Jada made it to the coin toss for the 2024 US Open women's singles final between Jessica Pegula and eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka.
"It was just really overwhelming" - Kim Clijsters on emotional rollercoaster ahead of US Open 2024 women's singles final coin toss
During the same podcast episode, Kim Clijsters opened up about her feelings as she waited in the Arthur Ashe Stadium for the players to come out for the final. Clijsters admitted that the magnitude of the occasion made her tearful, particularly when the crowd roared in support of home favorite Jessica Pegula when she was making her entry.
"I was already like drying my tears like waiting for the players to come out. When Jessie [Jessica Pegula] got announced on court, it was so loud and I got chills, I was like wiping my tears before I had to go out there. I don't know, it’s been so long since… it was just really overwhelming like hearing the crowd supporting Jessie as an American, born in New York. It was really really loud," Kim Clijsters said.
The Belgian won two other editions of the US Open in singles (2005 and 2010) and also clinched the 2011 Australian Open title. Apart from her four singles Majors, Clijsters also won doubles Grand Slam titles at the 2003 editions of the French Open and Wimbledon Championships.