Kim Clijsters is determined to go out on a high as she prepares to retire from tennis at the end of the US Open.
Three-time champion relishing Flushing Meadows swansong
Kim Clijsters is determined to go out with one final flourish as she prepares to retire from tennis at the end of this year's US Open.
The Belgian announced earlier this year she would quit the sport for good after the final grand slam of the season in New York, where she has won three of her four major titles.
Flushing Meadows is a special place for Clijsters, who took two and a half years out of her career to start a family and then marked her comeback by winning a second US Open title in 2009.
She successfully defended her crown in 2010 and, after missing last year's tournament through injury, the 29-year-old insists a title-winning finale is not an impossibility.
Clijsters said: "I'm obviously very excited to be back here after not being able to participate last year.
"This place is magical for me. I have had so many beautiful memories. I have enjoyed coming here from when I was a junior.
Excited
"I love the surface, I love the atmosphere, and I'm excited. I'm not really thinking about retiring yet. I'm still focusing on trying to be in the best shape that I can be. When I start on Monday, I want to be playing well.
"My mindset is not any different. I haven't played many matches or many tournaments this year. I really believe that physically I can do it.
"I have trained very hard for the last year to try and stay in good shape. I feel that I'm probably in maybe the best shape that I have been in."
Clijsters is a hugely popular figure who will be much missed by the sport and by her fellow players, including defending US Open champion Sam Stosur.
"It's going to be a loss for the tour, and she's obviously been a great player and a great champion, and a great role model to a lot of people," Stosur said.
"I guess for her she's decided it's time. I can imagine this is the perfect place for her to stop given the success she's had here in the past."
