31 Dec 2011

BRISBANE • KIM'S DRAW + 1ST ROUND INFO

(31 DEC.) It's D-1 in Brisbane before Kim gets back on a tennis court for some official match! And we now know her opponent in the 1st round of the Brisbane International Open. It will be the Romanian Simona HALEP. This will be the first encounter between Kim and the world No.47.

The match is scheduled third on Pat Rafter arena, sometime around 1.30pm, local time.


Kim could face Ana IVANOVIC in the next round, then Samantha STOSUR, Serena WILLIAMS and PETKOVIC/JANKOVIC/SCHIAVONE.

Kim's draw is not exactly what you could call 'easy', but if she manages to win a few matches, it should be some ideal preparation going into the Australian Open...

Have a look at the full draw here.

Last but definitely not least, let me wish you a very happy New Year! May 2012 bring you joy, happiness, a lot of love and success, and naturally... many great tennis memories!

And don't forget to check the blog tomorrow. There might very well be some layout changes coming with the New Year... ;-)



28 Dec 2011

KIM GETTING READY FOR THE NEW SEASON DOWN UNDER!

(28 DEC.) 2011 is quickly drawing to a close and the next tennis season is on its way down under! Kim is in Brisbane, where she'll play the Brisbane International Open, her first official tournament in months, and the first one in what should be her final season on the WTA Tour.

Kim's 1st round match may very well take place on 1st January (unless she draws a qualifier), but we'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, check what Kim has been up to over the last couple of hours...


A first training session in Brisbane...


Kim with Theresa, an 8 year old Koala, at the Lone Pine sanctuary in Brisbane.

And with Jada!

8 Dec 2011

DIAMOND GAMES • KIM DEFEATS CAROLINE

DEC. 8 • Today marked Kim's comeback to some kind of "official" tennis match as she took on Caroline Wozniacki in the Diamond Games exhibition in AntwerpAnd, after being out for months due to several injuries, Kim seemed to be back in full form today as she defeated the World No.1 6-2 7-6(5). There were some nice rallies, some mini-tennis, some grunting too, all for the crowd to enjoy as both players seemed to have fun on the court.



Later on, after some musical break, Kim and Caroline came back on court to play a doubles match, with Elke Clijsters and Yanina Wickmayer respectively. For the record, Kim and her little sister won the match 6-1, 6-2.


In about two weeks Kim will fly to Australia where she'll resume her preparation for what will be her last season on the WTA Tour.

7 Dec 2011

NEWS UPDATE • DIAMOND GAMES, AWARD & KIDS' DAY

DEC. 07 • It's D-1 in Antwerp as the Sportpaleis is getting ready for tomorrow's Diamond Games exhibition. Kim will take on Caroline Wozniacki and after a short musical break, Kim will team up with her sister Elke to face Caroline and Yanina Wickmayer. A very promising tennis evening in Belgium again... More info, results and pictures tomorrow!

In other news, Kim has been awarded the 'Tennis Performance of the Year' award by the Flemish Tennis Federation, thanks to her Australian Open title and her regaining the World No.1 ranking at the beginning of the season.

Kim has also recently taken part in the Chiquita Kids' Day, which was organised in her tennis club in Bree. A nice event for kids to get some advice from a player like Kim!


Let's end this short article with a nice video from Babolat and the winner of the 'Take a lesson with Kim' contest. Jacques won the web game and headed to Bree to take a lesson with Kim...