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The 2012 US Open carried a lot of emotion for Team Babolat: after exceptional careers, former world number one players and Grand Slam champions Kim Clijsters (BEL) and Andy Roddick (USA) announced their respective retirements.

“Kim and Andy joined Team Babolat in 1999 and 2000, respectively. Now, seeing them both retire at the US Open is very moving. These two talented players have had some incredible moments on the court, as well as off the court thanks to their likeability and generosity. The Babolat team wishes them the best in their future endeavors. We imagine that our history together will continue, and that we will meet again to collaborate on projects that will further advance this magnificent sport of tennis,” said Eric Babolat, CEO of the eponymous company.

Belgian player Kim Clijsters had already planned to make this tournament in New York her last. In front of a standing ovation in Arthur Ashe Stadium, Kim warmly thanked her fans for their unwavering support during the tournament that she previously won three times (2005, 2009, 2010).

Connected to Babolat from a young age, Kim has always played with the Pure Drive racquet and VS strings. This past May at the French Open, Kim tested a prototype of the new Babolat Play & Connect racquet. After many marvelous moments lived on the court, Kim Clijsters ends her career as a professional tennis player.

In New York on his 30th birthday, Andy Roddick surprised the world by announcing that the last Grand Slam of the 2012 season would also be the last of his career. To the delight of his fans, Andy progressed to the fourth round in his 12th and final US Open appearance.

Known for his formidable serve, Andy “Ace-Rod” Roddick held the record for the fastest serve on the tour for seven years, with a match speed of 249 km/h (Davis Cup 2004). He is the 2003 US Open Champion and ranked in the top ten worldwide for eight consecutive years, equipped with his Pure Drive Roddick racquet and Babolat RPM Blast/VS hybrid strings as well as Babolat Propulse shoes.

Andy also established himself off the courts, thanks to his sense of humor and showmanship. Without a doubt, his atypical style will be missed in the world of tennis.

About Babolat

Created in 1875, in Lyon, France, Babolat is the longest-running international company specialized in tennis. Babolat is today number 1 in tennis racquet sales in the United States, France, Spain, Italy and in Japan. Family-run for five generations, Babolat is an innovative brand in the tennis sector providing complete technical equipment for tennis players: racquets, strings, shoes, bags, apparel, accessories and balls. The brand provides strings and racquets for numerous tennis players including Rafael Nadal (SPA), Kim Clijsters (BEL), Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA), Li Na (CHN), Andy Roddick (USA) and Julien Benneteau (FRA) (these last two also play with Babolat shoes).

Website: babolat.com / Facebook.com/Babolat