Former world No. 1 Kim Clijsters makes unexpected coaching return in Paris Former world No. 1 Kim Clijsters returned to Roland Garros—the site of her two Grand Slam final appearances—as a coach for American player Katie Volynets. The 24-year-old Volynets, ranked world No. 108, secured a first-round victory at the French Open with a 6-3, 6-1 win over local player Clara Burel. Clijsters, who officially retired from professional tennis in 2022, is temporarily coaching Volynets, a role the Belgian confirmed was planned since November 2025. Volynets described her partnership with Clijsters as a significant opportunity, stating she had been practicing with Clijsters’ guidance and was “really happy to have her here.” Clijsters’ coaching debut at the French Open follows a career marked by multiple retirements. She first retired in 2007 at age 23 to start a family, returned to the sport in 2010, and retired again in 2012 after an eight-year hiatus. She made a final comeback before her official retirement in 2022. During her second retirement, she briefly worked with Romanian player Sorana Cîrstea at Wimbledon 2018, though the collaboration ended after Cîrstea’s early exit. Despite receiving coaching offers from players on the WTA Tour, Clijsters had not accepted any prior to her partnership with Volynets. Volynets, a former world No. 56, is seeking to build momentum at the French Open. Her victory over Burel marked her third consecutive second-round appearance at the tournament. Clijsters’ involvement is expected to provide strategic and technical support, leveraging her extensive experience as a former top player. Volynets acknowledged the value of Clijsters’ presence, emphasizing her excitement about the partnership. Clijsters is not the only former WTA player to transition into coaching.#kim_clijsters #katie_volynets #sorana_cirstea #roland_garros #clara_burel
Alex Eala's Rising Stardom: Comparisons to Sania Mirza and Global Icons Filipino tennis star Alex Eala has drawn comparisons to legendary athletes and icons, with former world No 5 Genie Bouchard and four-time Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters highlighting her growing global appeal. Bouchard, speaking on a live episode of Tennis Channel, humorously likened Eala’s rising popularity to that of pop sensation Taylor Swift, while also drawing parallels to the late-career dominance of Sania Mirza. “I think the ceiling that Alex Eala has is obviously that much higher,” Bouchard said, adding that Eala’s potential could rival the influence of icons like Manny Pacquiao or Roger Federer during their peak years. Eala, currently ranked World No 31, advanced to the next round of the Indian Wells Open after receiving a first-round bye as one of the tournament’s 32 seeded players. The main draw action begins on March 4. Her continued success has sparked widespread attention, with Clijsters emphasizing the challenges of managing heightened visibility. Speaking on her Love All podcast, Clijsters noted that Eala’s growing fame means her strengths and weaknesses are now widely known, requiring her to focus on refining her game while navigating the pressures of stardom. “Dealing with life as a superstar—like Michael Jordan in the Philippines—isn’t easy,” Clijsters said, acknowledging the difficulties of handling public scrutiny and sudden fame. Eala’s rise has been marked by consistent performances on the international stage, including her recent victory at the Abu Dhabi Open, which she described as “special.” Her ability to maintain composure under pressure and adapt to high-profile events has solidified her status as a rising force in women’s tennis.#taylor_swift #alex_eala #genie_bouchard #kim_clijsters #manny_pacquiao
