Kirsten Flipkens Shocks the Tennis World at 38: Wins Her Third Luxembourg Title and Honored with Jana Novotna Award

Kirsten Flipkens had a memorable week at the Luxembourg Ladies Tennis Masters, where she not only claimed her third championship title but also received the prestigious Jana Novotna Award, honoring her contributions to tennis. This was a well-deserved recognition for the Belgian player’s long and dedicated journey, as she overcame formidable opponents in this tournament for legendary female tennis players.

The Luxembourg Ladies Tennis Masters is not a new event but one of the most beloved in European tennis, attracting attention from both fans and professional players. Since 2022, the tournament has been revamped with a new format, featuring eight legendary female players. Appropriately, in the inaugural edition of the tournament, legend Kim Clijsters emerged victorious after defeating Martina Hingis in the final. In 2023, Anett Kontaveit left her mark by winning against Andrea Petkovic.

This year’s lineup included major stars like Ana Ivanovic, Flavia Pennetta, Dominika Cibulkova, Magdalena Rybarikova, Laura Robson, and of course, Kirsten Flipkens. Before the tournament began, Flipkens was awarded the Jana Novotna Award at a pre-tournament dinner. This award, established in 2017, honors players who show a special love and commitment to women’s tennis in Luxembourg, much like the beloved Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna did throughout her career.

Flipkens did not disappoint her fans as she secured consecutive victories in her matches. She overcame Ana Ivanovic in the quarterfinals and then beat Andrea Petkovic in the semifinals. In the final match, Flipkens faced none other than Martina Hingis. After a thrilling contest, Flipkens won with a score of 6-4, 2-6, 10-7, claiming the championship title and a prize of 50,000 euros.

Speaking after the match, Flipkens couldn’t hide her joy, sharing, “Luxembourg has always been close to me, both literally and figuratively. This place is special to me, not only because I can drive here from home in two and a half hours, but also because my family and friends can come and cheer me on.”

Additionally, Flipkens gave special thanks to Martina Hingis, whom she has admired since childhood. She reminisced about her first time meeting Hingis at Wimbledon when she was just 12 years old and has since regarded her as a legend in the world of tennis. Flipkens expressed her admiration for Hingis not only for her talent but also for her endurance and strong fighting spirit on the court.

With this victory, Kirsten Flipkens not only left a lasting impression on her fans but also proved that, even at 38 years old, she remains a formidable opponent on the court. Her impressive performances in Luxembourg made for a remarkable week, culminating in a championship trophy and praise from fans all over.