35,681 strong



Kim Clijsters and Serena Williams set a world record on Thursday, playing an exhbition before 35,681 fans at King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, Belgium.  Serena was a replacement for Justine Henin, who pulled out of the match because an elbow injury sustained at Wimbledon.

The match was originally titled the “Best of Belgium” but didn’t turn out that way as Serena replaced Justine. Martina Navratilova was honorary chair judge, while French Open champ Francesca Schiavone was also in attendance. This was the first meeting between Kim and Serena since their infamous 2009 US Open encounter.

The previous record was set when Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes in 1973 at the Astrodome. 30,472 people were in attendance for that brawl.

Two more shots from the record-setting exo after the cut.

It might also be a second world record: the first time Serena Williams ever played the role as understudy/fill-in. Kim won in easy fashion, 6-3, 6-2.

(photos by the ap)

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  1. World-record tennis crowd watches Kim Clijsters beat Serena Williams | Kim Clijsters says:

    [...] was honorary chair judge, and French Open champion Francesca Schiavone was also present. (sources: Tennis Served Fresh, Simply Serena [...]

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