Kim Clijsters Family Tree: The Story Behind Belgium's Mother-Champion

Kim Antonie Lode Clijsters, born 8 June 1983 in Bilzen, Belgium, is a Belgian former tennis player — 4 Grand Slam singles titles (US Open 2005, 09, 10; Australian Open 2011); 20 weeks at WTA No. 1; first mother to win a Grand Slam in the Open era (2009 US Open, 18 months after childbirth).

The Family's Roots: A Belgian Sporting Family

Father was a Belgian international footballer; mother a national gymnastics champion.

Her Parents

Father: Leo Clijsters (1956–2009) — Belgian footballer (Anderlecht, Mechelen); Belgian national team. Died 30 January 2009 of lung cancer.

Mother: Els Vandecaetsbeek — Belgian; national gymnastics champion.

Her Sister

Elke Clijsters, born 1985 — younger sister; former WTA player.

Her Husband: Brian Lynch

Brian Lynch, born 9 December 1978 — American basketball player (played in Belgium). Married Kim on 13 July 2007.

Their Children

Jada Ellie Lynch, born 27 February 2008 — daughter.

Jack Leon Lynch, born 18 September 2013 — son.

Blake Richard Lynch, born 28 September 2016 — son.

The Clijsters Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Leo Clijsters (1956–2009) — Belgian international footballer.

Mother: Els Vandecaetsbeek — national gymnastics champion.

Sister: Elke Clijsters (b. 1985) — former WTA.

Husband: Brian Lynch (b. 9 December 1978; m. 13 July 2007) — American basketball player.

Children: Jada (b. 27 February 2008); Jack (b. 18 September 2013); Blake (b. 28 September 2016).

Kim Clijsters:

  • Born 8 June 1983, Bilzen
  • Turned pro 1997 at 14
  • First Grand Slam: 2005 US Open (after 4 previous Slam finals lost)
  • 4 Grand Slam titles: US Open (2005, 09, 10), Australian Open (2011)
  • 20 weeks at WTA No. 1: from 11 August 2003
  • 41 WTA singles titles
  • Retired 2007 at 23 to start family
  • Comeback 2009: won 2009 US Open as unranked wildcard, 18 months after giving birth
  • Retired again August 2012; second comeback attempt 2020 (limited)
  • Fed Cup: 2001 (Belgium)

What the Clijsters Family Story Teaches Us

A Belgian-international-footballer father lost to lung cancer in 2009 — same year Kim won the US Open as a mother. A gymnastics-champion mother. A younger WTA-sister. An American-basketball-player husband. Three children. A career that made her the first mother to win a Slam in the Open era.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Kim story carries the same lesson. Some careers pause for motherhood, then win Slams anyway.

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