US Open - Top players pay glowing tributes to Kim Clijsters

Kim Clijsters has yet to retire from professional tennis but the tributes are already popping up from other players.

Several players were asked to comment on the three time US Open champion as they spoke to the press on media day ahead of the Open which kicks off on Monday.

Clijsters will retire at the end of the event and is seeded 23rd after an injury plagues 12 months that has seen her ranking dip.

World no. 3 Maria Sharapova commented "What's there to say about Kim? There's so many great things besides the fact she's been an incredible tennis player and champion. She's someone that went away from the sport to commit herself to being a mother and a good wife and then coming back and being a professional and winning a few more grand slams. She was always so focused and determined. One of the best athletes the game saw in women's tennis. And just a really great person, very humble. At the end of the day, just a down-to-Earth person that reflected on life in a very good way."

Olympic gold medallist Andy Murray commented, "As a person, which is much more important than the tennis, she's a lovely person. Early in her career she obviously had a lot of tough losses. She was competing with Justine Henin and a lot of pressure came with that. She lost a lot of tough matches to Henin. She managed to turn that around after taking a break. To come back to win a slam, or a couple more slams, is pretty incredible. I'm sure she will be remembered as one of the best players of the last 15, 20 years, and also one of the best people."

Venus Williams told the press Kim's comeback inspired her to comeback from her health troubles as well "Kim has had a resurgence like no other, coming back to win two majors. I think she's inspiration for everyone who has said if you put your mind to it, if you have a dream, you can do whatever you want."

World no. 1 Victoria Azarenka said , "For the kids she's one of the people who you always like to be around. Obviously a lot of people love here. She's definitely one everybody is going to miss. "