Kim Clijsters, affectionately known as “Aussie Kim” during her playing days, remains one of the most beloved figures in tennis history.
Famous for her incredible athleticism and her signature splits on the court, Clijsters made history as the first mother to reach the World No. 1 ranking.
Although she has officially hung up her racquet, fans continue to follow her life closely in 2025 as she mentors the next generation and enjoys life with her family in New Jersey.
In this article, you will know Kim Clijsters’ Net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
Kim Clijsters’ Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kim Antonie Lode Clijsters |
| Date of Birth | June 8, 1983 |
| Age | 42 |
| Education | Wilrijk Tennis School (Belgium) |
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Height | 5 ft 8.5 in (1.74 m) |
| Weight | 150 lbs (68 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 1997 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $20 Million – $25 Million |
| Career Earnings | $24,545,194 (Prize Money) |
| Husband | Brian Lynch |
| Instagram Profile | @clijsterskim |
| Twitter Profile | @Clijsterskim |
Early Career
Born in Bilzen, Belgium, Kim Clijsters was destined for athletic greatness. She is the daughter of Lei Clijsters, a former international footballer, and Els Vandecaetsbeek, a national gymnastics champion.
This genetic combination gifted her with the powerful legs of a footballer and the flexibility of a gymnast, which would later define her playing style. She began playing tennis at the age of six and quickly rose through the junior ranks.
In 1998, she made waves as a junior by reaching the Wimbledon Junior singles final and winning the French Open Junior doubles title. By 1999, she had made her professional debut on the WTA tour.
At just 16 years old, she reached the fourth round of Wimbledon in her debut Grand Slam appearance, losing only to her idol, Steffi Graf.
This early success signaled the arrival of a major talent who would soon challenge the dominance of the Williams sisters and her compatriot, Justine Henin.
Professional Career
Kim Clijsters’ professional journey is unique because it unfolded in three distinct chapters. In her first stint (1999–2007), she became World No. 1 in both singles and doubles simultaneously—a rare feat achieved by only a handful of players in history.
She won her first Grand Slam at the 2005 US Open and led Belgium to a Fed Cup victory. Citing injuries and a desire for a personal life, she shocked the world by retiring in 2007 at just 23 years old.
Her second chapter, known as the “Comeback of the Queen,” is arguably her most legendary. After giving birth to her daughter, Jada, Clijsters returned to the tour in 2009.
In only her third tournament back, she won the US Open as an unranked wild card, becoming the first mother to win a Grand Slam title since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1980.
She successfully defended her US Open title in 2010 and added an Australian Open title in 2011, reclaiming the World No. 1 ranking before retiring again in 2012.
She attempted a final, brief comeback in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic and injuries hindered her progress, leading to her final retirement in 2022.
Husband
Kim Clijsters is married to Brian Lynch, an American former professional basketball player. The couple met while Lynch was playing for a Belgian team, and they bonded over their shared love of bulldogs.
They got married in a private ceremony on July 13, 2007. Lynch retired from basketball to support Clijsters during her career and later became a basketball coach.
The couple has three children together. Their eldest daughter, Jada Ellie Lynch, was born in February 2008 and became famous for posing with the US Open trophy as a toddler.
They later welcomed two sons: Jack Leon Lynch, born in September 2013, and Blake Richard Lynch, born in October 2016.
The family primarily resides in New Jersey, USA, where they moved to be closer to Lynch’s family and new opportunities.
Coach
During her playing days, Clijsters worked with several high-profile coaches who helped shape her career. Her most notable partnership was with Carl Maes, who coached her during her early breakthrough and her first retirement.
For her successful 2009 comeback, she hired Wim Fissette, whose analytical approach helped her win three more Grand Slam titles.
Kim Clijsters’ Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Kim Clijsters has an estimated net worth of $20 million to $25 million. This wealth comes from her substantial career prize money, long-term endorsements, and business ventures, including her ownership stake in a pickleball team called the Las Vegas Night Owls.
Career Earnings
| Year | Prize Money | Key Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | ~$4,000,000+ | Reached World No. 1; Won WTA Championships |
| 2005 | $3,983,654 | Won US Open; Largest single payout in women’s sports at the time |
| 2009 | $1,632,560 | Won US Open (Comeback Year) |
| 2010 | $5,035,060 | Won US Open & WTA Championships |
| 2011 | $2,325,741 | Won Australian Open |
| Career Total | $24,545,194 | Ranked roughly 19th all-time |
Career Stats
| Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| Career Win-Loss | 523 – 132 (79.8%) |
| Singles Titles | 41 |
| Doubles Titles | 11 |
| Grand Slams (Singles) | 4 (US Open 2005, 2009, 2010; Australian Open 2011) |
| Grand Slams (Doubles) | 2 (French Open 2003, Wimbledon 2003) |
| WTA Tour Championships | 3 (2002, 2003, 2010) |
| Weeks at No. 1 | 20 (Singles) |
FAQs
1. How many Grand Slam titles did Kim Clijsters win?
Kim Clijsters won a total of four Grand Slam singles titles (three US Opens and one Australian Open) and two Grand Slam doubles titles (French Open and Wimbledon).
2. Who is Kim Clijsters’ husband?
She is married to Brian Lynch, a retired American professional basketball player who played in Europe. They have been married since 2007.
3. Does Kim Clijsters still play professional tennis?
No, Kim Clijsters is fully retired. She retired for the final time in 2022 after a brief comeback attempt and now focuses on her family and business ventures.
4. Where does Kim Clijsters live now?
Kim Clijsters and her family currently live in New Jersey, USA. They moved there from Belgium to be closer to her husband’s family and for new lifestyle opportunities.
5. Was Kim Clijsters ever ranked World Number 1?
Yes, she was ranked World Number 1 in both singles and doubles simultaneously in 2003, a very rare achievement. She also returned to the World No. 1 ranking in 2011 after her comeback as a mother.
