Kim Clijsters had nothing left to give
Kim Clijsters is going home much earlier than she expected from the 2011 French Open. The reigning U.S Open champ lost in a stunning second round, three set upset by Arantxa Rus.
Plenty of people are trying to put their finger on just what went wrong. Geoff MacDonald from the New York Times had an interesting take on just why Clijsters may have failed in her attempt to win her first French Open title.
Athletes We Had No Idea Were Still Playing
MacDonald wrote:
When Kim Clijsters got the yips late in the second set against Arantxa Rus and began backing off of her forcing groundstrokes, Rus surged in to take control. It was barely discernible for a minute or two, but when Rus saved the second match point against her with a beautiful lefty forehand cross-court winner, the energy and dominance that Clijsters showed took leave of her and the momentum shifted.
The ?gas? she ran out of was more confidence than anything else. This happens to athletes a lot more than we might imagine. There are times where an athlete gets to a point where they feel like can?t win, regardless of whether or not they can.
This is similar to what is going on in the Bulls vs. Heat series. The Bulls may have the personnel to have beaten the Heat, but once that doubt creeps in they know they can?t win.
The same thing can be said for Clijsters. A tender ankle and a relentless opponent sent her into retreat.
Just like that she was going home. Self doubt is a dangerous thing.
Victoria Silvstedt Hilary Swank Whitney Port Minka Kelly Carol Grow
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