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No problem with Henin: Clijsters

August 13, 2003 14:15 IST

Newly-crowned world number one Kim Clijsters says there is no problem with rival Justine Henin-Hardenne after both Belgian girls got involved in a war of words earlier this month.

French-speaking Henin-Hardenne beat Clijsters, who comes from Belgium's Dutch-speaking region, in a stormy Acura Classic final earlier this month.

After the match Clijsters accused her rival of using an injury timeout at the end of the first set to regroup.

"Really, there is no problem with Justine. We just have two different characters," Clijsters told Wednesday's Belgian daily Het Laatste Nieuws in an interview.

"I am more relaxed, more open. We respect each other," Clijsters said. "Moreover, Justine will also become number one soon. It's just a matter of time," she added.

Clijsters also said she considered U.S. player Serena Williams -- sidelined by Clijsters from the number one spot earlier this week -- and her sister Venus Williams as among her best friends.

"I don't understand that negative image of Serena and Venus. They are my best friends in the locker room. With Serena, I can talk about boys, music, fashion, everything outside tennis."

Clijsters said Serena even offered to design her wedding dress.

Source: REUTERS
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