BRUSSELS, Belgium -- Retired tennis star Kim Clijsters is pregnant with her first child, her family announced Tuesday, just days before the former top-ranked player is to marry U.S. basketball player Brian Lynch.
Her father Lei Clijsters announced on his website that the couple would have a baby, adding that "if everything goes well, Kim will be a mom and I a grandfather next year."
Family spokesman Jeroen Jespers said Clijsters and Lynch, who will get married this Saturday in her hometown of Bree, in northern Belgium, have always wanted children. He said she became pregnant after she announced her retirement from the pro-tennis circuit in May.
The 23-year-old called an end to her illustrious career 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 reached the 2007 Australian Open semifinals, but injured her hip.
Clijsters had little success in Grand Slam finals -- losing in 2001 and 2003 at the French Open, in 2003 at the U.S. Open, and in 2004 at the Australian Open.
Clijsters won the 2002 and 2003 WTA Championships as part of her career 34 singles titles.
