Former world number one Kim Clijsters has said an emotional goodbye to professional tennis.
The 29-year-old, who won four Grand Slam singles titles between 2005 and 2011, brought her playing days to a close after she and Bob Bryan were beaten 2-6 6-3 10-12 in the second round of the US Open mixed doubles competition by Ekaterina Makarova and Bruno Soares.
Addressing the crowd on Court 17 following the dramatic defeat, Clijsters said: "It's been an honour to be a part of this lifestyle and have so many dreams come true.
"Life goes on but that doesn't mean I don't love the sport any more. That's one of the reasons I wanted to play mixed doubles and I would have loved to win.
"I'm happy that I'm closing off this chapter and starting a new life with my family. I had a great night and I couldn't have asked for a better way to finish."
In 2009, with her second of three singles triumphs at Flushing Meadows, Clijsters became the first mother to win a Grand Slam since 1980.
Robert Summerscales
