Sep15200910:37 a.m.
Supermum
Is it just me or do those gorgeous pictures of Kim Clijsters and her little girl Jada, celebrating her extraordinary US Open victory, bring a tear to the eye? Now I admit I am a big softie and frankly will cry at the slightest provocation these days. I think having children suddenly makes you weep uncontrollably at the sight of anything remotely gooey. And I have always had a tendency to get tearful in the moment of an epic sports victory or defeat, no matter who it may be. But Clijsters’ achievement rendered me truly dumbstruck.
I speak from weary experience when I say how hard it is to run a normal life with two children. But the notion of having a baby and then returning to professional sport and joining an international tour, remains slightly insane to me. Messing with a small person’s sleeping and eating patterns is, forgive the pun, a recipe for disaster. And yet Clijsters was able to do that, as well as return to physical and emotional shape to win a Grand Slam after 27 months out of tennis. That really is an incredible achievement.
Now she may and probably does have a small army of helpers behind her for one thing. Fair enough. And you could argue that the fact she did return in such gloriously victorious fashion reflects negatively on the level of women’s tennis in general. That is another issue and worth discussing by the way. But putting all of that to one side, fair play to the woman. I am in awe. It almost made me reach for my tennis racquet….. until I recalled the humiliation of my last foray onto the tennis court. Let’s just say that in my mind’s eye I can still play with all the panache and flair I showed in getting to round 3 of the 1983 Perranporth Lawn Tennis Championships…… the reality however, is slightly different.
And speaking of true champions I must say I was also delighted to see Juan Martin Del Potro win the men’s title at Flushing Meadows. I must confess my admiration for Federer was dimmed somewhat by his embroidered tracksuit top antics in the immediate aftermath of his Wimbledon triumph this year. I felt it was a little disrespectful to Andy Roddick, given the nature of their epic encounter. I’d love to know what you think. Anyone for tennis?
Post views 1410
Comments (8)
flanker2 'Aaww bless, that's lovely Sue. I think Jada is saying to mummy..."look Mummy, what are all those noughts up there on that giant T.V. screen"? and Kim is saying..."Oh darling, that's just Mumm'y bank balance going up and up and up, look honey, here's your new potty I promised you!!!"...................Great to see her back and winning Sue, at least she smiles frequently, unlike most of the other miserable bleeders!..............' added 15th Sep 2009
Report as inappropriate
flanker2 'btw, it's a shame she had to win it the way she did, ( I think she deserved it anyway). But, OMG, did you see that line judge and the tournament referee????......... They were absolutely s****ing themselves when Serena let off at them during the squabble. Was it a foot fault??? Toooooooooo fine to call at match point in the biggest tournament in the world I think?...They should have let her serve the match out and just increased her fine!.....I'd love to see a straight match up between her and that diminuitive little asian line judge tho????.............She'll come back, bigger and stronger!..' added 15th Sep 2009
Report as inappropriate
anoif55 'Biggest tournament in the world.. nah ' added 15th Sep 2009
Report as inappropriate
anoif55 'I think Clijsters is amazing, being a mum of a little one myself I couldn't even imagine doing what she's done - full credit to her for deciding to get back onto the circuit and winning in a Grand Slam so quickly, regardless of how she got there she did well enough to reach the finals. And Sue, must admit i'm with you again on the tracksuit, he's beginning to get on my wick with said clothing range.. ' added 15th Sep 2009
Report as inappropriate
Simon_Doyle 'I stayed up until 1.30am watching the men's final and it was superb. Have to say though, while I'm an amirer of Federer, his behaviour was pretty poor. In one exchange with the umpire he said the 'F' word at least two times among other expletives. You don't expect someone with his class to behave like this. I'm delighted and amazed with Clijster's success and equally delighted that Williams was dealt with in such a fashion after having a go at the lines judge. Harsh lesson to learn.' added 15th Sep 2009
Report as inappropriate
Johnf 'I have real mixed views on this. Having worked in professional sport for 15 years I have seen the steady change in celebrations going from just the team/individual to including many of the family, and especially children. I'm not sure this is about displaying a part of your drive and inspiration, or to widen their marketing appeal. For many the inspiration I believe is money and perhaps fame, and that's actually fair enough, it's their job. If they did it for the love of the sport they would keep playing/running etc. when they were past their prime, and how many do. Perhaps too much deep thinking from me mixed with a touch of cynicism. I should just think cute!' added 16th Sep 2009
Report as inappropriate
Sue_Thearle 'Some great comments there, laced with a splash of cynicism Johnf! But I must say, I do know where you're coming from. In this age of spin and counter spin (no tennis pun intended I promise!), it is hard to know what's authentic anymore. But I really like to think family involvement at the point of victory is a nod to the sacrifices they have also made to get that person over the finishing line. Although I do recall the approach of James Cracknell being slightly different. When he won his second Olympic gold in Athens, he did originally collect his son Croyde from the waiting arms of wife Bev and head to the podium. Then he turned around and handed him back. He told me why later. He said he'd thought about all the work he'd had to put in to win gold and he felt his son should earn his place on any Olympic podium, rather than be carried there by dad. ' added 16th Sep 2009
Report as inappropriate
andre 'great to see someone different win a women's final. She must have serious army of helpers though especially someone to deal with a teething baby in the middle of the night. No way could she have trained for this and performed at this level if she was sleep deprived. Good luck to her and let's hope there are more wins to come!' added 16th Sep 2009
Report as inappropriate