Maybe tennis shouldn't be an Olympic sport. Or maybe we need to have no professionals. But the current #2 ranked women's tennis player won't play in the next Olympics because the Belgian Olympic committee won't allow her to wear clothes from her sponsor instead of the apparel provided by the team's sponsor.
Clijsters' Clothes Call
Full Version: Clijsters Won't Play Olympic Tennis
It's the price everyone pays for allowing professionals and for the organizers/teams and individuals signing these exclusivity deals. We'll see more conflicts like this. 
Didn't Gustavo Kuerten have a similar conflict at the last Olympics?
I don't remember this, but it seems that Clijsters is quite the little Fila Booster. When asked about if she were excited at the notion of playing fellow Belgian Henin-Hardenne in the US Open final, she said something like "Well that would be nice, but playing Capriati would be great too since we are both with Fila". What a dope!
You ARE joking, right?
I read it in yesterday's NY Daily News sports section. I'll look for the exact quote and try to post a link.
Okay here is the bit from Phil Mushnick's Sunday column in the New York Post. I had mistakenly thought it was the Daily News. You can't make this stuff up!
QUOTE
Tennis star Kim Clijsters may be from Belgium, but she has her priorities in modern order. Her first allegiance is to her sneaker/clothing sponsor, Fila.
This past September, having advanced to the U.S. Open final, she was asked by USA Network's Michael Barkann if she would like to play Justine Henin-Hardenne, rather than American Jennifer Capriati, in the final because it would make for an all-Belgium championship.
Clijsters said that would be nice for her country, but Capriati also would make a good opponent because it would be \"an all-Fila final.\"
Clijsters recently rejected an opportunity to play for Belgium in next year's Olympics because she would be unable to wear her sponsor's clothing. Sanctuary! Sanctuary!
This past September, having advanced to the U.S. Open final, she was asked by USA Network's Michael Barkann if she would like to play Justine Henin-Hardenne, rather than American Jennifer Capriati, in the final because it would make for an all-Belgium championship.
Clijsters said that would be nice for her country, but Capriati also would make a good opponent because it would be \"an all-Fila final.\"
Clijsters recently rejected an opportunity to play for Belgium in next year's Olympics because she would be unable to wear her sponsor's clothing. Sanctuary! Sanctuary!
Oh my God! Here I was attributing it to your sharp sense of humor--sometimes truth is funnier than fiction.
It will no doubt dismay Kim and her sponsors to know that I never knew who sponsored Kim or Jennifer, until this particular flap. I've just never paid any attention.
It will no doubt dismay Kim and her sponsors to know that I never knew who sponsored Kim or Jennifer, until this particular flap. I've just never paid any attention.
I remember Clijsters saying the same thing in an on-court interview with one of the talking heads from the USA network after she ousted Davenport in the semifinals. Varkan (sp?) asked Kim who she would prefer to play in the finals and she said that something to the effect of playing Henin would be great b/c they were both from Belgium, but Capriati also would make a good opponent because they were both sponsored by Fila.
Nick
Nick
One thing I found amusing was Clijsters statement that she was sticking by her sponsor, because two years ago, "nobody else was interested in her." OK--two years ago, she was an 18 year-old, ranked in the top 5, and had been to a major final. Even three years ago, she was a 17-year-old in the top 20. The sporting goods companies are always on the lookout for hot young talents before they break into the big time because they're cheaper. I can't believe that Clijsters expects us to think only Fila had noticed her.
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