[Venus Forever]

No. 1 Clijsters announces media boycott on website


September 13, 2003
LONDON (Ticker) - Women's world No. 1 Kim Clijsters has decided to stop speaking to the media after her father sparked a controversy in Belgium following the U.S. Open.

Clijsters made the decision after her father Leo, a former Belgian international soccer player, questioned new U.S. Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne's weight and muscle gain.

Clijsters performed disappointingly, and far below her best, in the French Open and U.S Open final defeats to Henin-Hardenne.

In interviews this week when the two women returned to Belgium, Leo Clijsters insisted he did not suggest Henin-Hardenne was taking drugs. But by indicating his belief that her growth was unusual, a storm erupted which has threatened to damage the relationship between Belgium's leading players.

The two also are ranked No. 1 and 2 on the WTA Tour, with with Henin-Hardenne quickly gaining on Clijsters.

A statement on Clijsters' website read, "In agreement with Kim Clijsters, those in her entourage have decided to observe a silence with respect to the press, for an undetermined duration."

The statement added that a list of those with whom Clijsters would agree to speak, would be printed on the website, www.kimclijsters.be, "in good time."

"It seems obvious that several newspapers and magazines will be from now on 'persona non grata,' because of their disparaging columns and other 'sensational' articles, whose goal is to gain a reaction from Kim and her entourage," the statement continued. "People who wish to increase their circulation by this manner can go on their way, they are no longer welcome."

 

[Venus Forever]

Will this media trouble Kim is having lead to her downfall just as Lleyton's problems with the ATP did??

 

[Martian Willow]

...they don't just look alike, do they...

 

[SJW]

if the media are gonna keep spreading bull.....then i think the whole tour should ignore them

 

[Dava]

Its such a shame its had to come to this.

 

[*JR*]

OK, with our old buddy here, let me "revert" to: TRIVIA QUESTION! What other WTA player's father was a big-time soccer (or football, if thou doth insist ) player?

 

[SJW]

OK, with our old buddy here, let me "revert" to: TRIVIA QUESTION! What other WTA player's father was a big-time soccer (or football, if thou doth insist ) player?

I'm not even gonna attempt to answer that

 

[Dava]

Is it one of the russians? Didnt one of thier Dads used to play for Spartak, I think maybe the Safins, could be wrong though

Could you be reffering to one of richards little fantasys though?

 

[*JR*]

Is it one of the russians?

This will give it away totally but your quoted sentence is correct only about the father.

 

[ToeTag]

I think it might have been Stefano Capriati...didn't he claim to be a footballer back in the day? Also,instead of banning the media why doesn't Clijsters just put a muzzle on that father of hers?

 

[Dava]

It must be Myskina then, if it aint Dinaras Dad.

 

[Martian Willow]

...I'm guessing you don't mean Elena Baltacha...since she isn't quite WTA...and her father wasn't quite big time...

 

[Dava]

And she isnt quite Russian either. Born in Kiev.

 

[SJW]

her dad used to play for Ipswich (thats big enough)

 

[*JR*]

OK, SJW, Willow and Dava got the right player, and I will try to confine my football expertise to the NFL from now on! (So who the fuck is this Beckham guy anyway)?

 

[Lady]

If you are talking about the dads, my thought is about Jelena Dokic, but I don't know her biography so...

 

[SerenaSlam]

if the media are gonna keep spreading bull.....then i think the whole tour should ignore them

bull? but what is it called when they talked about the sisters? "facts"

its funnie isn't it? not puting down u or anything or your statements, but when the sisters were getting the blows, people didn't seem to agree, as much as we have all come together to agree with the belgians.

its all with the part of famousness (new word?) kim and justine are just gonna have to deal with it. hell you have venus and serena have to deal with the count of their uncle or half brother or whatever, telling the press that richard fixed they matches. thats all in the family, and a lil to close for me personally, but the sisters have grown through it all. i think these two will as well. just lesson to learn in life. i think they may be taking to to seriously. but hey its they decision to shut up to the press at the time being.

 

[SJW]

bull? but what is it called when they talked about the sisters? "facts"

its funnie isn't it? not puting down u or anything or your statements, but when the sisters were getting the blows, people didn't seem to agree, as much as we have all come together to agree with the belgians.

its all with the part of famousness (new word?) kim and justine are just gonna have to deal with it. hell you have venus and serena have to deal with the count of their uncle or half brother or whatever, telling the press that richard fixed they matches. thats all in the family, and a lil to close for me personally, but the sisters have grown through it all. i think these two will as well. just lesson to learn in life. i think they may be taking to to seriously. but hey its they decision to shut up to the press at the time being.

nah its bull when they do it to the sisters too. its just different. Kim is obviously taking notice.

the sisters are much more mentally strong than that. they just dont give a fuck. and thats what i like about them

 

[Martian Willow]

...if the tour ignores the media...the media will ignore the tour...I'm not sure that's quite what we want...is it...?

 

[Dawn Marie]

Right on SerenaSlam!

They are just gonna have to deal with the media!!!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH.. I think it is just way too funny!! Rotflmao!


Lei is a total Ass. A tennis dad from hell. LMAO!