Although Kim Clijsters does not have the Grand Slam record to compare with some of the biggest names in women's tennis, she certainly had the ability and consistency to remain at the very top of the game for the duration of her professional career.

The Belgian won an impressive 34 career singles titles, including one Grand Slam, and 11 doubles titles, including two Slams.

Kim Clijsters was famed for having one of the most well-rounded games on the circuit during her best years at the start of the 21st century. It was characterised by her deep, powerful groundstrokes as well as her speed and athleticism across the court.

After an accomplished spell as a junior player, Kim Clijsters turned professional in 1999 and impressed at her first Wimbledon Championships before losing out to childhood idol Steffi Graf in the fourth round.

She continued to climb the rankings and reached her first Grand Slam final in 2001, where she was defeated by Jennifer Capriati in a French Open epic.

She won nine singles titles and seven doubles tournaments (including Wimbledon and the French Open) in 2003, before struggling throughout the following year with a series of injury problems.

However, she finally won her first Grand Slam singles title in 2005 with victory in the US Open, where she beat Mary Pierce in the final.

After reaching the semi-finals at Wimbledon in 2006 and at the Australian Open the following year, Kim Clijsters retired from tennis in May 2007 after constant injury troubles towards the end of her career.