It’s one of the game’s most heartwarming stories in recent years

Kim Clijsters has always been one of the most popular players on tour. No one, not even her greatest rivals have had a bad word to say about her. However for all her success, her talent was always thought to be slightly underwhelmed by just a single slam title.

Known for struggling under pressure on the biggest stage in her previous career with defeats in four out of five grand slam finals, it was a very different Clijsters who claimed her second US Open crown last night with a convincing 7-5, 6-3 win against the dangerous Caroline Wozniacki.

She’s the first mother to win a grand slam since Evonne Goolagong back in 1980.

"I don't have words for this, I'm just glad I got to come back and defend my title from 2005.  Winning the first one has definitely helped me to keep my nerves at the end,” Clijsters said. “I was still very nervous at the end, Caroline is such a great fighter and women's tennis can be very proud to have her. She's such a great girl and someone who plays such great tennis."

Clijsters feels that her lay-off and having a baby has given her a different perspective which has helped her on court. “I’m more capable of adjusting on the court,” she said. “I think that's something that's very important out there, especially in big matches like today and like yesterday. But it still seems so surreal that in my third tournament back I’ve won my second grand slam !”