Kim Clijsters on air quality at the Australian Open: "It is important that players stay healthy"
Former number one in the world, Kim Clijsters , spoke at a media event in her academy in Bree on Wednesday about the current situation in Melbourne, her comeback in March and also introduced her new coach.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit:
Jan 18, 2020, 12:18 pm

Last Tuesday it was clear to the last skeptic that the bush fires also had a significant impact on the Australian Open. In the first qualifying round, the Slovenian Dalia Jakupovic was well on the way to getting a bit closer to her goal of moving into the main field of the Australian Open. But then the Slovenian suddenly collapsed, kneeling on the floor, gasping and finally could not finish the match. The reason: The catastrophic air conditions in the Australian metropolis.
After Elina Svitolina, Steve Darcis and Gilles Simon, among others, had already publicly expressed their incomprehension , a former number one now joined the discussion. We're talking about Belgian Kim Clijsters. She also does not understand how games can take place under these precarious conditions: “If it is not possible to play, then it is so. You cannot avoid it or ignore it. You can postpone the matches, but that won't improve the air quality. "
Player health is most important
Of course there would not be this problem on the center and show courts, but "you can't play an entire event only on the seats that are covered." As an active athlete, Clijsters said she would seek dialogue: "I would be in Melbourne at the start, I would speak loudly about these things and talk to the board and the organizers about possible solutions. It's a difficult situation that you can't control. ”The most important thing for Clijsters is the health of the players.
However, the 36-year-old was pleased with the charity measures surrounding the ATP events in Australia: "Tennis is a sport in which everyone is always close together to raise money for a charitable cause." Clijsters is also in favor of a scheduled implementation of the Australian Open. "Everyone loves the Australian Open, we just have to make sure that the athletes stay safe and healthy."
Clijsters also used this press appointment to introduce the trainer with whom she wants to make her comeback. In March, the Belgian will celebrate her return on the tour , with support from the Dutch Fred Hemmes Jr. In her time as an expert on the WTA Tour, Clijsters always had in mind that she could still be a player - a thought , which led the 4-time Grand Slam winner to want to know it again. Because she loves to watch the young guard and would of course like to fight her again.