Kim Clijsters with daughter Jada and the 2010 U.S. Open trophy after beating Vera Zvonareva in the final.
(CNN) -- Kim Clijsters enjoyed a tennis career that would be the envy of most women on the WTA Tour, but it is not a path she would like for her four-year-old daughter.
The Belgian has topped the world rankings, celebrated four grand slam triumphs and earned over $24 million in prize money before calling time on her glittering career at this year's U.S. Open, but she hopes daughter Jada can find a profession away from the court.
"I'm not the kind of person where I want her to be like me and want her to have a career like me," the 29-year-old told CNN's Open Court in her homeland, where she was staging an event to thank her compatriots for their support over the last 15 years.
"She plays a bit, she's at the club that I own with a friend every Wednesday, she goes there just for the social side of things. There's so many kids she plays with -- when the tennis is over they go to the playground or the cafeteria.
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"It's just fun to see her have a social life and be among friends while playing sports. Whether it's swimming, track and field or tennis, I'll support her whatever she wants to do.
"But I'm not going to be the mother that's like, 'We're going to play tennis, we're going to practice this and this shot' -- I'm not like that at all."
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Clijsters' "Thank You Games" in Antwerp, an exhibition tournament also featuring fellow former world No. 1s Amelie Mauresmo and Venus Williams, were a way for her to thank the Belgian public for 15 years of goodwill.
"It was a way for me to give back for all the support I got from the people here," she said. "The last 15 years I've had so many letters and presents and people who travel all over the world to watch me play, so I needed to say goodbye to the people here in Belgium."
She chose Williams and Mauresmo because they were two of her best friends on tour.
"Venus, what she's done for women's tennis has been incredible. I've always admired her for who she is as a person," Clijsters said.
"Amelie as well, besides the fact she was a great player I appreciate the person she was on tour for her whole career -- she stayed normal. There was no difference seeing Amelie the next day if you beat her or lost to her. That's something I really appreciated.
"She was one of the people I got closer to -- I reached out to her when her dad passed away and she reached out to me when my dad passed away."
The Bilzen native initially retired in 2007, taking two years out of the sport to have her child before returning in 2009. She won that year's U.S. Open as a wildcard, becoming the first mother to clinch a major championship since Australia's Evonne Goolagong in 1980.
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"I enjoyed spending time with my husband and our daughter on the road, seeing her at my last U.S. Open -- she was in the stands and she watched and she would clap. I would hear her yell and I really enjoyed it," Clijsters said.
That win has become famous for the on-court celebration between mother and daughter, and Clijsters ranks the victory as the most emotional of her career -- coming less than a year after the death of her father.
"One of my biggest highlights is the U.S. Open victory when I came back," she explained. "Nine months before my dad passed away and the surprise to have won ... it was like an emotional rollercoaster."
She went to New York this year determined to savor the occasion, playing in the singles, doubles and mixed doubles competitions while also watching as a fan as Andy Roddick ended his career during the grand slam event.
"I felt so excited about it, like a 14-year-old again playing my first tour event and going to Disneyland for the first time," Clijsters said.
"I was so excited knowing it could be one of my last matches but at the same time I was taking it all in. I told myself leading up to the Open that you're gonna step back once in a while and look at the situation from another kind of angle.
"Now that I think back, those 15 years have flown by. It's sad in a way that you don't think about it when you're 16 or 17 -- which in a way is normal, but in the last year I was on tour I learned more than in the last 15 in total."
That 2009 triumph was one of three she achieved at Flushing Meadows, while she also won the 2011 Australian Open.
Her exploits raised the profile of tennis in Belgium, and her rivalry with Justine Henin was keenly fought, with Clijsters winning 13 of their 25 meetings -- although Henin won all three of their grand slam final matches.
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Henin retired from the sport in 2011, also for the second time, and this year announced she is expecting her first child -- due to be born next March.
Our gallery on the world's fittest men got such a huge response, we decided it was only fair to do one on the world's fittest women. By putting their workouts and nutrition first, women such as Olympic gymnast Gabrielle Douglas have become role models for a healthy lifestyle. Did we miss one of your favorites? Let us know at Facebook.com/CNNHealth or on Twitter @CNNHealth.
The world's fittest women
Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates his 2-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win over David Ferrer of Spain in the men's singles semifinal match at the 2012 U.S. Open on Sunday, September 9. The tournament, the last grand slam event of the year, continues through Monday in Queens, New York.
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Tennis' ultimate poster couple are still going strong after 10 years of marriage since reportedly getting together at the champions' ball after both won the French Open in 1999. They have two children and still play the odd charity match, but rarely battle each other. As their website reveals: "Andre says his problem playing Steffi is not watching the ball."
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Clijsters said that only since retiring has she been able to see what their achievements meant to Belgian tennis fans.
"Now that I'm older I'm able to realize what we did for our country, especially in the last few months since I retired, I've been in situations where people have come up to me and thanked me," she said.
"When world leaders and politicians I've met say what you've done for Belgium, that's when it really hits you."
She was also touched that the Belgian media made a special presentation to her after that final match in September -- a second-round defeat to one of the women's game's rising stars, British 18-year-old Laura Robson.
"It's such a small country, we're very approachable. We don't have paparazzi, so we're among the people," Clijsters said.
"They said I have to come in for another interview and I thought 'Oh no, not another one.' They were all standing there ... it really got to me. The thought they put into it was very nice."
One lingering regret is that she never reached the final at Wimbledon, losing in the semis in 2006 and the quarters in 2010.
"The match that hurt me the most was that loss to Vera Zvonareva (in 2010). At the time it took me a few weeks to get myself together and focus on what was next," said Clijsters, who bounced back to win the U.S. Open for the third time later that year, beating the Russian in the final.
One of Clijsters' trademarks was her athletic stretches across the court, flexibility which could perhaps be explained by the fact her mother was a gymnast.
Clijsters, whose father was a professional footballer, enjoys the attention her quirky trademark brings.
"It does make me laugh," she said. "I have people send me pictures of splits they do to show me they can do it, so it is funny.
"I think it started because I practiced on clay all of the time in Belgium and then I just tried it one time on hard court and won the point and slowly started to feel more comfortable with it. Now more players do it, so it's not only me anymore."
So is there any chance of a third comeback? Clijsters takes her time, then shakes her head.
"No, I'm done!"
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Clijsters had a love affair with New York. Here she climbs into the family area after the 2005 U.S. Open final after beating France's Mary Pierce 6-3 6-1 to clinch her first grand slam title.
The Belgian suffered a shock 6-7 (3-7) 3-6 loss to Julia Vakulenko in 2007 in what proved to be her final match before retiring for the first time. Clijsters took time away from the sport to raise her family and gave birth to Jada in 2008.
Clijsters defended her Flushing Meadows crown in 2010, avenging her defeat by Russia's Zvonareva in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon -- a loss she told CNN "hurt her the most."
Clijsters enjoys popularity in Australia thanks to ex-boyfriend and male tennis star Lleyton Hewitt. She was overcome with emotion after defeating Li Na of China to clinch the 2011 Australian Open -- the fourth grand slam title of her career.
The daughter of a footballer and a gymnast, Clijsters is renowned for her on-court splits -- an ability which originated from her early years on clay courts but was later transferred to other surfaces.
Clijsters' final singles match was a loss against unseeded British teenager Laura Robson in the second round of the 2012 U.S. Open. She also competed in the mixed doubles competition with Bob Bryan, but they too lost in the second round.
After nearly a year out with a foot injury and a life-threatening blood clot on her lung, Serena returned to the Tour in June 2011, at Eastbourne. Things didn't go exactly to plan upon her return.
As soon as the tennis season finished Serena and Venus visited Africa, to promote an initiative that recognizes women of all ages who have broken the mould in their respective fields.
Annie Thorisdottir recently earned the title of the world's fittest woman by taking first place at the 2012 Reebok CrossFit Games. The competition includes everything from weightlifting to jumping rope. "I think my strengths are that I can usually just keep on going," the Icelandic athlete told CrossFit. "I don't really need to stop and rest."
Dara Torres is an inspiration to thousands of women who are struggling to get, or stay, in shape as they age. The 45-year-old swimmer brought home three silver medals from her fifth Olympic Games in Beijing and barely missed qualifying for London 2012. If her biceps aren't enough inspiration, check out her two books: "Gold Medal Fitness" and "Age is Just a Number."
It's hard to ignore the muscles sported by the U.S. women's Olympic gymnastics team. All-around gold medalists, from left, Jordyn Wieber, Kyla Ross, McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman and Gabrielle Douglas show it takes dedication and strength to fly high.
Jessica Ennis beat her closest opponent in the 2012 Olympic heptathlon event by more than 300 points. Ennis earned her gold medal by participating in the 100-meter hurdles, the high jump, the shot put, the 200-meter race, the long jump, the javelin throw and the 800-meter race.
As Sports Illustrated writer Phil Taylor says, "With all due respect to the other teams who compete in beach volleyball ... there is the duo of Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings, and there is everybody else." May-Treanor, left, and Walsh Jennings went into retirement after the 2008 Beijing Olympics. During their time off, May-Treanor tore her Achilles tendon while rehearsing for "Dancing With the Stars," and Walsh Jennings gave birth -- twice. Still, the duo reunited to dominate the 2012 Olympics, losing only one set in their quest for gold.
China's Wang Mingjuan weighs only 106 pounds, but she can lift more than 200. Wang claimed the weightlifting gold medal of the 2012 Olympic Games in the women's lightest category. The 26-year-old four-time world champion has not been defeated in international competition since winning her first world title in 2002, according to the Daily Mail.
If you haven't heard of Serena, right, and Venus Williams, you've been living under a rock with earmuffs on. The tennis stars took home their third Olympic gold medal for doubles in 2012. Serena is currently the Wimbledon, U.S. Open and Olympic singles champion.
Djokovic serves to Ferrer as their match resumes Sunday after being delayed Saturday because of inclement weather.
Ferrer returns a shot to Djokovic on Sunday.
Djokovic reacts to winning a point against Ferrer during the match Sunday.
Ferrer, the No. 4 seed, serves to Djokovic, the No. 2 seed, Sunday.
Djokovic returns a shot against against Ferrer during their men's singles semifinal match of the 2012 US Open on Saturday, September 8. The match was stopped in the middle of the first set due to approaching severe weather and resumed on Sunday.
Ferrer follows through his shot against Djokovic on Saturday.
Djokovic comes down on the ball while playing Ferrer on Saturday.
Spectators evacuate the Arthur Ashe Stadium during Ferrer and Djokovic's match as severe weather approached on Saturday.
British Andy Murray returns a shot against Czech Tomas Berdych during his men's singles semifinal match in the 2012 U.S. Open on Saturday, September 8.
Murray of Great Britain argues with the chair umpire Pascal Maria and Berdych on Saturday after the wind blew his hat off during their match.
Berdych slams the ball onto Murray's side of the court on Saturday.
Murray celebrates after winning a point against Berdych on Saturday.
Rain falls on center court in Arthur Ashe stadium, causing officials to suspend play on day 13 of the 2012 U.S. Open on Saturday, September 8.
Grounds crew workers clear water during a rain delay on Saturday.
Belarus' Victoria Azarenka stares down the ball during her women's singles semifinals match against Russia's Maria Sharapova during the U.S. Open on Friday, September 7.
Sharapova returns a shot against Azarenka on Friday.
Stefan 'Redfoo' Gordy of the American electro duo LMFAO attends the women's singles semifinal match between Azarenka and Sharapova on Friday.
Victoria Azarenka of Belarus celebrates match point against Sharapova on Friday.
Sarah Errani of Italy serves in her match against Serena Williams of the United States during a women's singles semifinal match Friday.
Williams makes a return in her match against Errani.
Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan of the United States pose with their trophy after their men's doubles final match against Leander Paes of India and Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic on Friday.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates match point during his men's singles quarterfinal match against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina on Thursday, September 6.
Juan Martin del Potro returns a shot against Novak Djokovic on Thursday.
Djokovic returns a shot.
Juan Martin del Potro reacts at the net on Thursday.
Djokovic lunges to make a return.
Spain's David Ferrer celebrates his men's singles quarterfinal victory over Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic on Thursday.
Ferrer returns a shot against Tipsarevic during their quarterfinal match.
Tipsarevic makes a backhand return to Ferrer.
Tipsarevic slips on the court while attempting a return shot.
Ekaterina Makarova of Russia and Bruno Soares of Brazil celebrate after defeating Kristyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic and Marcin Matkowski of Poland to win their mixed doubles final match on Thursday.
Eugenie Bouchard of Canada returns a shot against Victoria Duval of the U.S. on Thursday.
Ipek Soylu of Turkey wipes her face during a break against American Chalena Scholl during their girl's juniors singles match on Thursday.
Andy Roddick of the United States salutes the crowd after losing his final career match to Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in their men's singles fourth-round match at the 2012 U.S. Open on Wednesday, September 5.
Coach Larry Stefanki, left trainer Doug Spreen, wife Brooklyn Decker and agent Graham Cross watch Roddick in his final match on Wednesday.
Del Potro plays returns a backhand to Roddick on Wednesday.
Roddick chases down the ball during his match against del Potro on Wednesday. Roddick announced he would retire after this Grand Slam.
Russian Maria Sharapova serves to France's Marion Bartoli during their women's singles quarterfinal match on Wednesday.
Bartoli returns a shot against Sharapova on Wednesday.
NBA basketball player Tyson Chandler and his daughter Sacha-Marie attend the U.S. Open on Wednesday.
Serbia's Novak Djokovic pulls back to return a shot to Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland during his men's singles fourth-round match on Wednesday.
Wawrinka carries his broken racquet off the court during his match on Wednesday against Djokovic.
Italian Sara Errani returns a shot against countrywoman Roberta Vinci during Wednesday's women's singles quarterfinal match.
Vinci serves to fellow Italian Errani on Wednesday.
Serbian Janko Tipsarevic clenches his fist after a play against German Philipp Kohlschreiber on Wednesday.
France's Marion Bartoli reacts to a point against Maria Sharapova of Russia on Wednesday.
Attendants get the court ready for Wednesday's match between Bartoli and Sharapova.
Victoria Azarenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating Samantha Stosur of Australia to win their women's singles quarterfinals match on Tuesday, September 4.
David Ferrer of Spain returns a shot against Richard Gasquet of France during their men's singles fourth-round match on Tuesday.
Samantha Stosur of Australia returns a shot against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus on Tuesday.
Victoria Azarenka of Belarus reacts against Samantha Stosur of Australia on Tuesday.
Spectators shelter under umbrellas as rain delays play during the women's singles quarterfinal match between Maria Sharapova of Russia and Marion Bartoli of France on Tuesday.
Samantha Stosur of Australia makes a return shot in her women's singles match against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.
Roberta Vinci serves as she and Italian teammate Sara Errani play a women's doubles quarterfinals match on Tuesday.
The braids of Victoria Azarenka of Belarus swing with her follow-through during her match on Tuesday.
A grounds crew dries the court Tuesday after rain suspended play.
Julia Goerges, left, of Germany and Kristyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic react after a point against Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci of Italy on Tuesday.
American Serena Williams returns a shot Monday.
Mike Bryan, right, and Bob Bryan of the United States bump chests in celebration during their doubles match against Santiago Gonzalez of Mexico and Scott Lipsky of the United States on Monday.
Sara Errani of Italy hits a return to Angelique Kerber of Germany during their women's singles match on Monday.
Marion Bartoli of France serves against Maria Sharapova of Russia on Tuesday.
Martin Klizan of Slovakia takes a tumble Monday.
Taylor Townsend of the United States serves during her doubles match on Monday.
Canadian player Milos Raonic of Canada prepares to serve on Monday.
Andy Roddick of the United States celebrates after defeating Fabio Fognini of Italy on Sunday, September 2.
Fognini wipes his face with a towel during his men's singles third-round match against Roddick.
Roddick returns a shot to Fognini.
Russia's Maria Sharapova returns a shot to Nadia Petrova of Russia and wins Sunday's match to move on to the quarterfinals.
Leonardo Mayer of Argentina hits a return to Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during their men's singles third-round match Sunday.
Anna Tatishvili of Georgia celebrates a point during her women's singles fourth-round match Sunday against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.
Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany returns a shot to John Isner of the United States on Sunday.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia waves to the crowd Sunday after winning his men's singles third-round match against Julien Benneteau of France.
Benneteau returns a shot to Djokovic.
Djokovic serves to Benneteau.
Lleyton Hewitt of Australia hits a return to David Ferrer of Spain during their men's singles match Sunday.
Fernando Verdasco of Spain returns a shot to top-ranked Roger Federer of Switzerland during their men's singles match at the U.S. Open on Saturday, September 1.
Switzerland's Roger Federer returns a shot to Spain's Fernando Verdasco.
Maria Kirilenko of Russia tapes her racquet handle during a break in her match against Czech Andrea Hlavackova.
Hlavackova returns a shot against Kirilenko.
Frenchman Jeremy Chardy stretches to make a return against Slovakia's Martin Klizan.
Serbian Jelena Jankovic serves against Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska.
Ana Ivanovic of Serbia plays a shot against American Sloane Stephens.
Spain's Nicolas Almagro returns a shot to Jack Sock of the United States.
Venus Williams of the United States watches a match.
Serena Williams of the United States returns a shot against Russia's Ekaterina Makarova in their third-round singles match.
Spain's Feliciano Lopez of Spain hits a return to Andy Murray of Great Britain.
Murray reacts after defeating Lopez.
Milos Raonic of Canada serves in his match against James Blake of the United States.
Roberta Vinci of Italy serves against Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia during a women's singles third-round match.
Kei Nishikori of Japan serves the ball to Marin Cilic of Croatia during a men's singles match.
Australia's Lleyton Hewitt returns a shot to Luxembourg 's Gilles Muller in a men's singles second-round match.
Spectators inside a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium watch the second-round match between American Andy Roddick and Australia's Bernard Tomic.
Roddick celebrates a point during his men's singles second round match Tomic. Roddick, 30, who has announced he will retire after the U.S. Open, won in three sets.
Maria Sharapova of Russia returns a shot against Mallory Burdette of the United States during their women's singles third-round match.
Ryan Harrison of the United States reacts after a point against Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina in a second- round singles match. Del Potro won in four sets.
Czech Lucie Safarova serves to Russian Nadia Petrova of Russia during their third round match.
Jarkko Nieminen of Finland serves against John Isner of the United States.
American Steve Johnson returns a shot against Latvian Ernests Gulbis.
Samantha Stosur of Australia serves the ball against Varvara Lepchenko of the United States during their third-round match.
David Ferrer of Spain serves against Igor Sijsling of the Netherlands.
Varvara Lepchenko of the United States returns against Samantha Stosur of Australia.
Samantha Stosur of Australia serves against Varvara Lepchenko of the United States during a women's singles third round match.
Angelique Kerber of Germany celebrates match point after her women's second round match against Venus Williams of the United States on Day Four of the 2012 US Open on Thursday, August 30.
Venus Williams of the United States reacts during her women's second round match against Angelique Kerber of Germany.
Ana Ivanovic of Serbia returns a shot against Sofia Arvidsson of Sweden during their women's singles second-round match.
A ball boy stands by during the match between Kei Nishikori of Japan and Tim Smyczek of the United States.
Maria Kirilenko of Russia serves against Greta Arn of Hungary.
Pablo Andujar of Spain serves against Feliciano Lopez of Spain during their men's singles second-round match.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France jumps over the net while trying to return a shot against Martin Klizan of Slovakia.
Andy Murray of Great Britain plays a backhand during a practice session.
Nicolas Almagro of Spain lies on the court as he celebrates match point after his men's singles second-round match against Philipp Petzschner of Germany.
Philipp Petzschner of Germany reacts during his men's singles second round-match against Nicolas Almagro of Spain.
Philipp Petzschner of Germany slides during his men's singles second-round match against Nicolas Almagro of Spain.
Mardy Fish of the United States celebrates after defeating Nikolay Davydenko of Russia.
Tatjana Malek of Germany returns a shot during her women's singles second-round match against Sloane Stephens of the United States.
Sloane Stephens of the United States returns a shot during her women's singles second-round match against Tatjana Malek of Germany.
Sloane Stephens of the United States reacts during her women's singles second-round match against Tatjana Malek of Germany.
Kim Clijsters of Belgium reacts during her second round match loss to Laura Robson of Great Britain.
Italian Andreas Seppi hits a backhand during his men's singles first-round match against Spaniard Tommy Robredo.
Serbian Janko Tipsarevic serves against Guillaume Rufin of France.
Sisters and doubles partners Venus Williams, left, and Serena Williams of the U.S. take on U.S. players Mallory Burdette and Nicole Gibbs during their women's doubles first-round match.
France's Alize Cornet returns a shot during her women's singles second-round match against Czech Petra Kvitova.
Mikhail Youzhny of Russia reacts during his match against Gilles Muller of Luxembourg.
U.S. players Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan chest bump after winning match point in their men's doubles first-round match against Belgian players David Goffin and Steve Darcis.
Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina serves against Florent Serra of France.
Spain's Tommy Robredo poaches the ball during his men's singles first-round match against Italian Andreas Seppi.
The water fountain under the iconic unisphere produces a rainbow at the grounds of the National Tennis Center.
Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov serves to France's Benoit Paire.
Australian Samantha Stosur returns a shot during her women's singles second-round match against Romanian Edina Gallovits-Hall.
Benoit Paire of France wipes his face during his men's singles first-round match against Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov.
Luxembourg fans cheer on Mandy Minella during her women's singles second-round match against Czech Kristyna Pliskova.
Australian Lleyton Hewitt tosses his racquet during his men's singles first-round match against German Tobias Kamke.
Spain's David Ferrer returns a shot against South African Kevin Anderson.
Belgian Kim Clijsters, left, congratulates Britain's Laura Robson after their match.
Latvian Ernests Gulbis stretches for the fall during his men's singles first-round match against German Tommy Haas.
Venus Williams, left, and Serena Williams tap hands during their women's doubles first-round match.
Australian Casey Dellacqua serves against China's Na Li during their second-round match.
Britain's Johanna Konta serves to Hungarian Timea Babos during their women's singles first-round match on Day Two of the 2012 U.S. Open.
Serbia's Ana Ivanovic serves to Ukraine's Elina Svitolina during their women's singles first-round match.
Serbian Novak Djokovic looks on against Italian Paolo Lorenzi during their men's single first-round match.
France's Edouard Roger-Vasselin serves the ball against Italian Fabio Fognini of Italy.
Anne Keothavong of Great Britain returns a shot during her first-round match against Angelique Kerber of Germany.
France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga serves the ball against Karol Beck of Slovakia.
American Venus Williams returns to Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the United States.
Andrea Hlavackova of the Czech Republic celebrates after defeating Klara Zakopalova, also of the Czech Republic, in the first round.
Italy's Roberta Vinci returns a shot against Poland's Urszula Radwanska.
A worker climbs a ladder to adjust the board displaying the women's draw.
Slovakia's Karol Beck stretches to return a backhanded shot against France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Fans wait for an autograph from U.S. player Andy Roddick after he defeated U.S. player Rhyne Williams.
American Andy Roddick hits the ball against countryman Rhyne Williams during their first-round 2012 U.S. Open match in New York on Tuesday, August 28.
Roddick wears patriotic shoes for his match against Williams.
Golfer Sergio Garcia of Spain signs an autograph for a fan as James Blake of the United States and Lukas Lacko of Slovakia compete.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France serves against Karol Beck of Slovakia during their first-round match on day two.
Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland selects tennis balls during a match against Nina Bratchikova of Russia.
Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic hits against David Goffin of Belguim during their men's first-round match.
Roberta Vinci of Italy celebrates a shot against Urszula Radwanska of Poland.
Agnieszka Radwanska returns to Bratchikova.
Angelique Kerber of Germany returns a shot during her women's singles first-round match against Anne Keothavong of Great Britain.
Fireworks expload over Arthur Ashe Stadium during the opening ceremonies of the 2012 U.S. Open on Monday, August 27.
Fans watch fireworks as actress/singer Jordin Sparks performs the national anthem during the opening ceremonies.
Switzerland's Roger Federer serves to American Donald Young during their men's singles first-round match.
Donald Young reacts during his match against Roger Federer.
Roger Federer returns a shot to Donald Young.
Alec Baldwin, center, and his wife, Hilaria Thomas, right, watch the first day of action Monday at the U.S. Open.
A downpour interrupts play Monday at Flushing Meadows.
France's Marion Bartoli serves during her women's singles first-round match against American Jamie Hampton.
American James Blake celebrates a point during his men's singles first-round match against Lukas Lacko of Slovakia.
Russian Alex Bogomolov Jr. stretches to play a backhand against Andy Murray of Great Britain during their men's singles first-round match.
Andy Murray shakes hands at the net with Alex Bogomolov Jr. after winning his men's singles first-round match.
American Melanie Oudin returns a shot during her women's singles first-round match against Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic.
Florian Mayer of Germany serves to American Jack Sock.
Belgium's Kim Clijsters moves to return a shot during her women's singles first-round match against American Victoria Duval.
A spectator in a kangeroo costume cheers from the stands during the match between Tatsuma Ito of Japan and Matthew Ebden of Australia.
Maria Sharapova of Russia returns a shot to Melinda Czink of Hungary.
Roger Federer met Mirka Vavrinec at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 when they both represented Switzerland. Mirka says her husband's glittering career has eased her pain after injury forced her retirement in 2002. Of his wife, Roger told the Telegraph newspaper: "I developed faster, grew faster with her. I owe her a lot."
She is the former world No. 1 waiting to land her first major title -- he's the baby-faced golfer whose capitulation at the 2011 Masters, and subsequent victory at the U.S. Open, entranced the sport. Together since September last year, Denmark's Wozniacki and McIlroy, from Northern Ireland, go by the moniker of "Wozilroy" and say they lean on each other's experiences to help their sporting performance.
World No. 8 Adam Scott's appearance at last month's Australian Open confirmed that another powerful golf and tennis combo are back on the scene. They split in 2010, but 2008 French Open champion Ivanovic told Australian newspaper the Herald Sun: "Sometimes you need time apart to figure things out."
Hewitt and Clijsters, both former world No. 1s, met at the Australian Open in 2000, reportedly after Kim's sister Elkie asked her to get Lleyton's autograph. They announced their engagement in 2003 but split in October 2004. Both decried the "malicious gossip" that followed their separation.
The courtship of former world No. 8 Kournikova and pop star Iglesias was the very definition of a high-profile romance when they started dating in 2001. The Russian appeared in the video for Iglesias' song "Escape," causing a media frenzy. They are still together, 10 years on.
Former women's No. 1 Hingis became engaged to Stepanek in 2006 but a year later the couple announced through the ATP Tour they had split. Hingis, who won five grand slam titles, retired in 2007 after testing positive for cocaine during Wimbledon. Stepanek married fellow Czech Nicole Vaidisova in July 2010.
A third entry to the list for Evert, whose romance and susbsequent marriage to Australian golfer Greg Norman -- known as the "The Great White Shark" -- captured headlines in 1998. Evert even caddied for the two-time British Open winner at the Masters during a par-three tournament. The couple split 15 months after their wedding.
Before Agassi teamed up with Graf, he married actress Brooke Shields in 1997 after a four-year courtship. Agassi, winner of three grand slam titles by then, and Shields, star of TV sitcom "Suddenly Susan," were a box office hit but split after less than two years of marriage in 1999.
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