Kim Clijsters: Balancing Family and the US Open

Kim Clijsters returned to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center yesterday to defend her title at the US Open. After stepping away from tennis in 2007, Clijsters returned last year with her new daughter, Jada, in tow.

Clijsters told That's Fit that during tournaments like the US Open, she typically practices an hour or two a day and then hits the gym to follow a basic workout schedule. But during the off-season, her workout schedule can vary from four to six hours a day in the gym.

She admits that training after pregnancy was frustrating at times. "I started from zero," she said. "In the past, I would really focus on just the weak parts of my body, but this time I had to train everything again."

Now that the 27-year-old Belgian tennis star is also a mom, she said that her busy training schedule comes with trade-offs. "I have help from our nanny, my husband and other family members," she said. "But, of course, I have days when I feel guilty about being away from [Jada]."

Off the court, sports are a family affair. She met her American husband, Brian Lynch, while he was playing professional basketball in Europe. To relieve stress, they go mountain biking during the off-season and take their dogs for long walks. Clijsters said she also loves yoga and swimming to relax.

Sports are in Clijsters' blood: Her father was a soccer star, and her mother was a professional gymnast. But Clijsters said while sports, in general, were always a priority, tennis was always her first love.

"Sports have always been important in my life. I feel better when I work out, and it has become a way to relax, get rid of stress and makes me feel good about myself," she said. "So even if I'm not practicing tennis, I will always find a sport where I can challenge myself."

As for Jada, there is no pressure to choose professional sports, but rather to embrace an active lifestyle. "She can choose whatever sport she would like," said Clijsters, "but we will teach her that playing sports and healthy eating is a good way of life."

Although Clijsters has extra support as a professional athlete, her love of activity and healthy living -- and making it something the entire family is involved in -- is a lesson all of us can learn from.

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