Back to Headlines

11/16/2001 The Brilliant Game by Belgian fan Ingrid It started at 7 pm, but I only got coverage from the singles match just after 10 pm. A doubles match was first played, then there was a break of about 30 minutes. Afterwards the highlights of the past year was shown on 3 great screens. A popular Flemish rock group called Clouseau, of which Kim is a fan, and another band performed and Clouseau even contributed something to Kim and Justine. They are stars in tiny Flanders and are also quite known in the Netherlands, mainly having songs in Dutch. They're the rock ballad type. Kim and Justine then did interviews in their respective languages, Dutch and French. Kim got her father laughing when she said that she puts some powders in her drinks, answering a question about her special things before a match. She explained that she is highly superstitious, with some examples, saying her bag must be on her right each time. Kim's mother was there as well. Her long blonde hair makes her look a bit like the mother of Lleyton Hewitt, hehe! Kim and Justine played to a really packed place. All the fans started the singles match with a wave, really huge and warm supporting both of them (but I have the impression that quite a big part were cheering for mainly Kim... Flemish majority I guess). People of all ages came out, and also some "famous faces." Justine's fiancé Yves was even there to cheer for her. Kim, wearing a black outfit, looked great, relaxed, and appeared to be enjoying herself. Kim defeated Justine easily 6-4 6-2, and she played a bit with the public afterwards. Some fans really got lucky as they got her racket! She gave everything away: 2 caps, balls in the public, and a towel! She managed the public wonderfully, being really outgoing and an entertainer! Justine, being more introvert, was totally different towards the public. After Kim's pleasing of the fans, the two girls were asked to come forward for the official finale. They both received a silver plate with their names on them. Kim was so animated that she briefly rubbed the head of the host (a well-known TV personality) after his praise, took the microphone away from him and started herself, thanking the organiser (the guy from Lleyton's management) for his huge work, the public, and wishing Justine a good holidays. Justine couldn't stay behind, also saying that she could imagine that there was a girl who couldn't wait to be in Australia, wishing Kim a safe flight. So that was that! Clijsters Defeats Henin in Belgium Exhibition Match ANTWERP, Belgium (AP) -- Kim Clijsters beat Justine Henin 6-4, 6-2 in an exhibition match Wednesday, three days after they teamed to win the Federation Cup for Belgium. They played for a sellout crowd of 11,366 at the Sports Palace. The 18-year-old Clijsters reached the French Open final, while 19-year-old Henin advanced to the Wimbledon final. Clijsters to Cheer on Hewitt in Davis Cup Final MADRID, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Kim Clijsters will travel to Australia to cheer on her boyfriend Lleyton Hewitt in the Davis Cup final later this month. Clijsters helped Belgium to their first Fed Cup win on Sunday and confirmed she would be at courtside in Melbourne from November 30 to see if Hewitt can win the men's team competition for the second time by beating France. "Lleyton's already won the Davis Cup once and it would be great if he could do it again," Clijsters said. "I know how much he loves to play for his country. It would be great for Patrick Rafter as well, as he's finishing his career."