{"id":3031,"date":"2026-10-18T15:15:06","date_gmt":"2026-10-18T13:15:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/beautyoftennis.com\/?p=3031"},"modified":"2026-10-18T15:15:06","modified_gmt":"2026-10-18T13:15:06","slug":"0190-kirsten-flipkens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"beautyoftennis.com\/?p=3031","title":{"rendered":"#0190 kirsten flipkens"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-3031\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-3031-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-3031-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-3031-0-0-0\" class=\"widget_text so-panel widget widget_custom_html panel-first-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><blockquote><small>restless and strangely tactile.<\/small><\/blockquote><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-3031-0-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_media_image\" data-index=\"1\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1671\" height=\"941\" src=\"http:\/\/beautyoftennis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/one_flipkens_luxembourg_IMG_1874_02a_ChatGPT_10haikus.jpg\" class=\"image wp-image-3033  attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto;\" srcset=\"http:\/\/beautyoftennis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/one_flipkens_luxembourg_IMG_1874_02a_ChatGPT_10haikus.jpg 1671w, http:\/\/beautyoftennis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/one_flipkens_luxembourg_IMG_1874_02a_ChatGPT_10haikus-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/beautyoftennis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/one_flipkens_luxembourg_IMG_1874_02a_ChatGPT_10haikus-1024x577.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/beautyoftennis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/one_flipkens_luxembourg_IMG_1874_02a_ChatGPT_10haikus-768x432.jpg 768w, http:\/\/beautyoftennis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/one_flipkens_luxembourg_IMG_1874_02a_ChatGPT_10haikus-1536x865.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1671px) 100vw, 1671px\" \/><\/div><div id=\"panel-3031-0-0-2\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_media_image\" data-index=\"2\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"758\" height=\"485\" src=\"http:\/\/beautyoftennis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/one_flipkens_luxembourg_IMG_1874_02a_ChatGPT_200-words.jpg\" class=\"image wp-image-3034  attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto;\" srcset=\"http:\/\/beautyoftennis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/one_flipkens_luxembourg_IMG_1874_02a_ChatGPT_200-words.jpg 758w, http:\/\/beautyoftennis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/one_flipkens_luxembourg_IMG_1874_02a_ChatGPT_200-words-300x192.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 758px) 100vw, 758px\" \/><\/div><div id=\"panel-3031-0-0-3\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_media_image\" data-index=\"3\" ><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"http:\/\/beautyoftennis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/one_flipkens_luxembourg_IMG_1874_02a.jpg\" class=\"image wp-image-3032  attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" style=\"max-width: 100%; height: auto;\" srcset=\"http:\/\/beautyoftennis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/one_flipkens_luxembourg_IMG_1874_02a.jpg 1920w, http:\/\/beautyoftennis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/one_flipkens_luxembourg_IMG_1874_02a-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/beautyoftennis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/one_flipkens_luxembourg_IMG_1874_02a-1024x576.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/beautyoftennis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/one_flipkens_luxembourg_IMG_1874_02a-768x432.jpg 768w, http:\/\/beautyoftennis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/one_flipkens_luxembourg_IMG_1874_02a-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/div><div id=\"panel-3031-0-0-4\" class=\"widget_text so-panel widget widget_custom_html panel-last-child\" data-index=\"4\" ><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><div style=\"width:700px;font-size:80%;\">\n\n<h3>Kirsten Flipkens \u2014 Compact Overview<\/h3>\n\n<h3>Basic Information<\/h3>\n<ul>\n  <li><strong>Full name:<\/strong> Kirsten Flipkens<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Nickname:<\/strong> Flipper<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Nationality:<\/strong> Belgian<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Born:<\/strong> 10 January 1986, Geel, Belgium<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Height:<\/strong> 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Plays:<\/strong> Right-handed (two-handed backhand)<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Turned professional:<\/strong> 2003<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Retired:<\/strong> 2023<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3>Career Highlights<\/h3>\n\n<ul>\n  <li><strong>Career-high singles ranking:<\/strong> World No. 13 (5 August 2013).<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Career-high doubles ranking:<\/strong> World No. 23 (1 July 2019).<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Career prize money:<\/strong> Over US$6.2 million.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>WTA singles titles:<\/strong> 1.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>WTA doubles titles:<\/strong> 7.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>WTA 125 singles titles:<\/strong> 1.<\/li>\n  <li><strong>ITF titles:<\/strong> 13 singles and 2 doubles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3>Grand Slam Results<\/h3>\n\n<ul>\n  <li><strong>Australian Open:<\/strong> Fourth Round (2013).<\/li>\n  <li><strong>French Open:<\/strong> Second Round (seven times).<\/li>\n  <li><strong>Wimbledon:<\/strong> Semifinal (2013).<\/li>\n  <li><strong>US Open:<\/strong> Third Round (2009).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>\nFlipkens enjoyed the finest Grand Slam season of her career in 2013, reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open before advancing to the Wimbledon semifinals. Along the way she defeated former champion Petra Kvitov\u00e1 and became the first Belgian woman since Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin to reach the Wimbledon semifinals. Grass was her most successful surface throughout her career. \n<\/p>\n\n<h3>Playing Style<\/h3>\n\n<p>\nFlipkens was one of the most creative players of her generation. Rather than relying on power, she built her game around variety, precision and outstanding tactical awareness. Her trademark slice backhand became one of the most effective shots on the WTA Tour.\n<\/p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>Exceptional slice backhand.<\/li>\n  <li>Creative all-court game.<\/li>\n  <li>Excellent touch and volleys.<\/li>\n  <li>Intelligent point construction.<\/li>\n  <li>Strong grass-court skills.<\/li>\n  <li>Effective transition game.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3>Career Development<\/h3>\n\n<p>\nFlipkens was one of the world's best juniors, winning the Wimbledon and US Open girls' singles titles in 2003 and finishing the year as ITF Junior World Champion. Injuries slowed her early professional progress, including a congenital back problem, wrist surgery in 2010 and life-threatening blood clots discovered in 2012. Despite these setbacks, she produced a remarkable comeback, winning her first WTA singles title in Qu\u00e9bec City in 2012 before enjoying a career-best season in 2013, reaching World No. 13. \n<\/p>\n\n<p>\nLater in her career she became increasingly successful in doubles, winning seven WTA titles and reaching the 2022 US Open mixed doubles final. She announced that Wimbledon 2022 would be her final singles tournament and retired completely after the 2023 Wimbledon Championships. \n<\/p>\n\n<h3>Major Titles and Achievements<\/h3>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>Qu\u00e9bec City WTA singles champion (2012).<\/li>\n  <li>Houston WTA 125 champion (2019).<\/li>\n  <li>Seven WTA doubles titles.<\/li>\n  <li>US Open mixed doubles finalist (2022, with \u00c9douard Roger-Vasselin).<\/li>\n  <li>Wimbledon girls' singles champion (2003).<\/li>\n  <li>US Open girls' singles champion (2003).<\/li>\n  <li>ITF Junior World Champion (2003).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3>Doubles Success<\/h3>\n\n<p>\nAlthough best known for her singles achievements, Flipkens enjoyed an outstanding doubles career during its later stages.\n<\/p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>Career-high doubles ranking of World No. 23.<\/li>\n  <li>Winner of 7 WTA doubles titles.<\/li>\n  <li>Australian Open doubles quarterfinalist (2022).<\/li>\n  <li>French Open doubles semifinalist (2019).<\/li>\n  <li>US Open doubles quarterfinalist (2022).<\/li>\n  <li>US Open mixed doubles finalist (2022).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3>International Representation<\/h3>\n\n<p>\nFlipkens represented Belgium for more than fifteen years in the Fed Cup (now Billie Jean King Cup), helping Belgium reach the 2006 final. She also represented her country at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, reaching the third round in singles after defeating Venus Williams in the opening round. In recognition of her long service, she received the Fed Cup Commitment Award in 2016. \n<\/p>\n\n<h3>Strengths<\/h3>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>Outstanding slice backhand.<\/li>\n  <li>Exceptional tactical intelligence.<\/li>\n  <li>Excellent grass-court game.<\/li>\n  <li>Creative shot-making.<\/li>\n  <li>Strong doubles ability.<\/li>\n  <li>Remarkable resilience after injuries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3>Areas for Improvement<\/h3>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>Recurring injuries interrupted several seasons.<\/li>\n  <li>Serve was accurate rather than powerful.<\/li>\n  <li>Relied on variety and anticipation against more powerful opponents.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3>Beyond Competition<\/h3>\n\n<p>\nFollowing retirement, Flipkens transitioned into coaching and television commentary while remaining active within Belgian tennis. Widely respected for her sportsmanship and tactical insight, she has continued contributing to the sport through mentoring, media work and coaching roles. \n<\/p>\n\n<h3>Legacy<\/h3>\n\n<p>\nKirsten Flipkens is regarded as one of Belgium's finest players of the post-Clijsters and Henin era. A former World No. 13, Wimbledon semifinalist and ITF Junior World Champion, she overcame numerous serious injuries to enjoy a career spanning more than two decades. Her elegant slice backhand, creativity on grass courts and resilience made her one of the most distinctive players on the WTA Tour. \n<\/p>\n\n<h3>Career Snapshot<\/h3>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>Belgian professional tennis player (2003\u20132023).<\/li>\n  <li>Career-high singles ranking: <strong>World No. 13<\/strong>.<\/li>\n  <li>Career-high doubles ranking: <strong>World No. 23<\/strong>.<\/li>\n  <li>Winner of <strong>1 WTA singles<\/strong>, <strong>7 WTA doubles<\/strong> and <strong>1 WTA 125<\/strong> title.<\/li>\n  <li>Wimbledon semifinalist (2013).<\/li>\n  <li>ITF Junior World Champion (2003).<\/li>\n  <li>Olympian and long-time Belgian Fed Cup representative.<\/li>\n  <li>Known for her creative all-court game, exceptional slice backhand and remarkable perseverance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>all texts by ChatGPT<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>restless and strangely tactile. Kirsten Flipkens \u2014 Compact Overview Basic Information Full name: Kirsten Flipkens Nickname: Flipper Nationality: Belgian Born: 10 January 1986, Geel, Belgium Height: 1.65 m (5 ft<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link\"><a href=\"http:\/\/beautyoftennis.com\/?p=3031\" class=\"readmore\">Continue reading<svg class=\"icon icon-arrow-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\"> <use href=\"#icon-arrow-right\" xlink:href=\"#icon-arrow-right\"><\/use> <\/svg><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">#0190 kirsten flipkens<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3035,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"templates\/full-width-page.php","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[30],"class_list":["post-3031","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-posts","tag-flipkens"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"http:\/\/beautyoftennis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/one_flipkens_luxembourg_IMG_1874_02a_square_01.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"beautyoftennis.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3031","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"beautyoftennis.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"beautyoftennis.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"beautyoftennis.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"beautyoftennis.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3031"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"beautyoftennis.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3031\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3036,"href":"beautyoftennis.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3031\/revisions\/3036"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"beautyoftennis.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3035"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"beautyoftennis.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3031"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"beautyoftennis.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3031"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"beautyoftennis.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3031"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}