Fila designs limited collection honoring Kim Clijsters

As Clijsters retires for a second and final time at the conclusion of the her last grand slam at the US Open, Fila collaborated with the tennis star to design the last style group of the collection as an homage to her adopted home (USA) with a red, white and navy color palette.

"The US Open is tournament where I have had my greatest triumphs and is therefore very special to me,” said Kim Clijsters. “While it is bittersweet to retire from my professional career, the collection that Fila designed reminds me of all of my wonderful tennis experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.”

Clijsters has long been one of the most recognizable, well-liked and respected players on the WTA Tour, and she inspired legions of fans with her unbelievable comeback to tennis in 2009 when she became the first unseeded player and wildcard to win the US Open. Even more inspiring was that Kim was the first mother to win a Grand Slam in the Open era since Evonne Goolagong-Cawley (1980).

“Kim has had a remarkable career in tennis and has been inspirational to many tennis fans around the world who have enjoyed her extraordinary talent,” said Gene Yoon, Chairman of Global Fila. “Her grace, passion, and humility have made her a champion on and off the court. We wish Kim the best as she begins a new chapter in her life.”

The final group to be worn at the US Open by Clijsters features a unique take on the American flag with a red stripes and star pattern on the top and skort, a tribute to her family and love of the tri-state area.

The pattern features hundreds of smaller stars and, at Clijsters’ suggestion, eleven large stars to represent the years that she has been a member of the Fila family. Within four of those large stars, there is an outline of a tennis ball to symbolize her four Grand Slam titles.

The star pattern can be seen on the side panels and back of the v-neck cap sleeve top, one of Clijsters’ favorite silhouettes. The cap sleeve top features contrast binding at the neck and diagonal red stripes across the upper chest between the seams of the sleeve. Thin red taping on the front side panels denotes the start of the star pattern.

The red taping continues down the front of the a-line skort while diagonal red stripes start from mid-thigh and wrap around the back of the skirt to the waistband. As an added element of whimsy, the ball short features the star print pattern.

Both the cap sleeve top and skort are available two colorways: white with navy and red accents as well as navy with white and red.

Clijsters will wear a navy jacket and pant with her on-court look. The full zip navy jacket has a distinct vintage tennis inspiration with white color-blocking on the side panels and under the arms and red athletic taping above the elbow. Red accents continue on the front full zipper and front pockets.