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Belgian Press Kim Interview October 30, 2001 Belgian (Dutch) newspaper De Standaard KOCKELSCHEUER – She is ranked World number 5 but she makes no fuss of it. Kim Clijsters may be celebrated and loved in Belgium and the world, she remains herself in all circumstances: a cool and disarming girl, still standing, as yet, in what Dominique Van Roost once described as a merciless jungle. An interview with the twice “Belgian Sportswoman of the Year”, after her third WTA tournament title win of this year. One day before the Masters Kim Clijsters shows full confidence. The last tournament of the year seems exiting, certainly now without Venus Williams around and Martina Hingis being out for the rest of the year. Clijsters is not really a favorite, but may be counted among the outsiders of the elite. Except for Serena Williams and Jennifer Capriati, with whom she fought a thrilling three set match in the final of Roland Garros, she has beaten all players on this field, even Lindsay Davenport. - Do you look forward to this tournament? ,,Certainly. It is the last of the season and one of the most important. Almost all of the top girls will be there. I could taste a bit of it last year, this year I start with ambition. Davenport, Capriati and Williams start as favorites, but I hope to provide a pleasant surprise.'' - You have had a brilliant year. How would you evaluate it? ,,It all went that fast. The tournaments follow each other in such a fast rhythm that you don’t have time to dwell on a result. Roland Garros was a tremendous experience, but also Indian Wells, Wimbledon, US Open, Leizpig and Luxemburg ware nice tournaments. I have enjoyed each moment. The memories stay but the hectic schedule that is imposed on us, doesn’t leave us time for reflection.'' - You seem to be sorry for it? ,,That I am certainly not. I feel privileged that I can experience all of this. I can travel around the world and play nice tennis and I even make a good living on top of that. This is a job in a million. But much time to visit cities or to rest we don’t have. In fact you travel from hotel to hotel and in between you play some matches. Personally I don’t care about luxury and comfort. I am already happy if I can receive MTV at the room. I can miss the rest.'' - - Don’t you get homesick if you are away from home that long? ,,After a few months abroad I am longing for home. For being a bit back in Belgium, with my family, friends and my dogs. My bed as well. And for plain, common food. There is nothing you get so bored of as hotel cuisine. If only I could get some red cabbage and potatoes. When I am in the aircraft back to Belgium, I read all the newspapers and can’t get back fast enough.'' - Some wonder where your home is: Belgium or Australia? ,,I love Australia. Sun and sea. A magnificent country, where even in winter you still have 20 C° and where you still find pure nature. I know already certain places, but there is still a lot to discover. After the brilliant game, (= Antwerp tournament, Nov 14, gala exhibition match between Justine Henin and Kim) I will travel with Lleyton during 3 weeks to the north east. From Brisbane to the Barrier Reef with some stops in between, eg in Noosa. Patrick Rafter has his ranch over there and we certainly will visit him there. And I hope to dive. Lleyton will be a bit hard to persuade, I am afraid. But as beautiful as Australia is, my roots are in Belgium and I will never deny them. My family and my friends live here. I am going to build a house here soon. It has to be modern with class. It’s definitely not going to be a huge mansion, I want to keep it subdued. But with style.'' - Although you have plenty of money. You belong to the so-called one million dollar club? ,,Some female players lay it on thick. The sisters Williams only buy the most expensive, but that doesn’t interest me. It should never occur to me to buy a coat of 120000 Belgian francs (=about 3000 $) for example. I know the value of money and the fact that I have nice earnings now, does not change that. I don’t throw money away. That is one of the values I received from my parents.'' - Like not being conceited, no caprices? ,,That as well. It is not that you can permit yourself more only because you are in the picture. I always try to be myself, in all circumstances. That’s why I have a good understanding with most of the female players.'' Jungle - The women’s tennis nevertheless has the name to be a jungle? ,,That is a bit exaggerated. All depends on what kind of attitude you take on in the scene. The contacts that I have with the female players are good up to excellent. Only the sisters Williams put themselves a bit in isolation from the rest. However it is true that there is a better atmosphere in men’s tennis. The players are friendly with each other when they have left the court.'' - However Capriati is being described as a shrew and Anna Kournikova as being hated by most of the tennis army? ,,Believe it or not, but I have a good understanding with Jennifer. She is very nice, always in for a chat, a nice girl in brief. And those feelings of hate towards Kournikova are mostly based on jealousy. No matter what they say, she is very professional and works very hard at her comeback. But she has obviously a problem with herself. And she has these elite traits: she only wants to be picked up by a chauffeur behind the wheel of a S-class Mercedes. And she lives in Miami in a very exclusive area.'' - You are fifth in the rankings, Justine Henin sixth. Do you feel any rivalry or is that generated by the media? ,,Maybe the media try to play us off against one another, but I am not having any of that. Justine and I do have an excellent understanding and I don’t see why that should change now we are ranked 5 and 6. Belgium should be happy that there are two players in the top ten. But that I am 5th or 8th doesn’t really matter to me.'' - Should you wish Justine the title of 'Sportswoman of the Year'? ,,Definitely. I have already won twice, so I really would wish her to win.'' - Although you always want to win and just don’t give it away? ,,That’s how I am. In tennis I am without mercy. One day I had beaten Marta Marrero with twice 6-0. I like to give presents, but not when I am playing a match against someone. That’s when I want to win.''