Press Box: Clijsters will retire from tennis after U.S. Open
Kim Clijsters announced a date when she will retire from competitive tennis for the second time, but this time she says she's quitting for good.
The 28-year-old Clijsters said Tuesday she will officially retire in September after the U.S. Open, where she has won three of her four major titles.
Clijsters retired in 2007 to give birth to her first daughter but returned in 2009 and had considerable success. Three of her four major titles have come since she returned - the 2009 and 2010 U.S. Open and the 2011 Australian Open.
She also regained the world's No. 1 ranking during that period, but a series of injuries have disrupted her career.
"As it stands I will end my career at the U.S. Open," she said at a press conference in New York. "That is where I enjoyed my greatest triumphs and it is a very special place for me. The stadium is only about 45 minutes away from our house in the United States and my parents-in-law will be able to be present."
Clijsters announced last month she would miss the clay court season, including the French Open, after suffering a hip injury at the Miami Open. She plans to play at Wimbledon, and will compete in the London Olympics at the same venue later in the year before finishing up at the U.S. Open.
---Florida beat UCLA to repeat as NCAA women's tennis national champions with a 4-0 victory in Athens, Ga., on Tuesday.
The victory was complete when Lauren Embree finished off McCall Jones 6-4, 6-0. Embree also clinched the Gators' 2011 title, when Florida beat Stanfod 4-3.
It was the Gators' first back-to-back championship and the third title for Gators' coach Roland Thornqvist.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
---Cincinnati and Xavier will take their rivalry to a neutral site for the first time in 25 years, starting in 2012-13, according to a Cincinnati Enquirer report.
The report said the shift to U.S. Bank Arena is a result of a Dec. 10 brawl between the schools, which led to player suspensions and a discussion to end the series.
Instead, school officials have opted to move the game from what had been an alternating home-and-home structure, as an "attempt to improve the climate surrounding the game," the report said.
In two years, the schools will evaluate player and fan behavior before deciding whether to renew the series or schedule venues, the paper said.
SOCCER
---Didier Drogba is leaving Chelsea after eight seasons.
The 34-year-old Ivory Coast star clinched Chelsea's first European title on Saturday with the last kick in a shootout against Bayern Munich. He also sent the contest into extra time with a game-tying score in regulation.
Drogba leaves Chelsea with 157 goals in 341 appearances. He wants to find a new club for his final seasons.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
---Though Andrew Luck is now a member of the Indianapolis Colts, he won't be soon forgotten at his college alma mater.
Through an anonymous donation, the former Stanford University quarterback will have a legacy at the school. The school has endowed his name to the offensive coordinator position, renaming it the Andrew Luck Director of Offense.
"It is a huge tribute," Luck said in a statement. "To have anything endowed in my name is a complete honor. I feel very fortunate to have come to Stanford, and I have always enjoyed representing the university. The offensive coordinators I've had here helped me not only in football, but also to grow so much as a person. To be a part of that leadership and position is a very proud legacy for me."
Stanford's offensive coordinator is Pep Hamilton.
