Posted at 6:26 a.m., Friday, July 13, 2007
Tennis: Ex-star Clijsters marries basketball player Lynch
Associated Press
BRUSSELS, Belgium — Retired tennis star Kim Clijsters and U.S. basketball player Brian Lynch were married today in a secret early morning ceremony.The civil ceremony was officiated by Jaak Gabriels, the Bree town mayor who confirmed to local media that the ceremony had taken place at 6 a.m.
"This has been organized on the request from Kim, to keep the ceremony as low key as possible," Gabriels told VRT radio.
Clijsters' official Web site confirmed that the couple was married Friday, adding a reception was planned for Saturday.
"Kim chose for the early hour because she wanted to conduct her nuptials with the American Brian Lynch within a small circle of people," said a statement in Dutch, posted on her site.
Media reported that a church ceremony also was planned for Saturday.
The wedding comes just days after the former top-ranked player announced she was pregnant with her first child.
The 24-year-old Clijsters called an end to her illustrious career in May, saying a string of injuries had led to fatigue, a lack of motivation and a decline in play. Clijsters said she wanted to focus on her wedding and a new life with Lynch, who plays professional basketball in the Belgian league.
Clijsters was Belgium's first tennis player to reach No. 1, holding the top ranking for 19 weeks in 2003.
A left wrist injury last year stopped Clijsters from defending her 2005 U.S. Open title, her only Grand Slam win, and from playing in the Fed Cup final. She won the 2002 and 2003 WTA Championships as part of her career 34 singles titles.
