Served with Andy Roddick: "Kim’s Racket Smashing, Victoria Mboko in the Top 10, & More"

Love All w/ Kim Clijsters – February 18, 2026
Guests: Kim Clijsters (co-host), Blair Henley (co-host)

Episode Overview

In this episode of "Love All," Kim Clijsters and Blair Henley offer a lively, insider’s look at tennis – from racket-smashing confessions to analysis of rising stars like Victoria Mboko and discussions about the challenges of the pro tour. They also delve into behind-the-scenes stories from the Dallas Open, reflect on issues within the tennis world (including an emotional retirement post from Destiny Iwao), and highlight key topics shaping the sport right now.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kim’s Personal Updates: Injuries & Racket Smashing

• Achilles Rehab Update
  • Kim shares steady progress: out of the boot, walking, strengthening her calf, and back to some normalcy. She resists the urge to rush back to hitting balls, recalling her trainer's advice:

    “He’s 20 years younger than you. Like, keep that in mind.” (Kim, 02:04)

• Racket Smashing Confessions (03:59)
  • Kim admits she did break rackets, but “probably all in practice.”
  • She never did so intentionally in matches, though damaged a few frames while sliding.
  • Blair comments on the relatability—even pros like Casper Ruud give in to frustration on practice courts.
  • Kim connects it to personality:

    “When I get mad in the kitchen, I'll look for something that I have with me and I'll just like... get that frustration out in something physical.” (Kim, 05:13)

2. Celebrating Wins as a Pro: The Reality

• No Time to Celebrate (06:35)
  • Kim on winning the 2005 US Open: after media duties, she was alone, folding laundry in her hotel room, preparing to fly out the next morning.

    “I was sitting on the floor, like folding laundry... and I remember sitting there thinking, this is it. Like, I just won a slam. And look at me, like, I’m still sitting here. Like, life goes on, like nothing’s changed.” (Kim, 06:49)

  • Her proudest moments were at subsequent tournaments, introduced as champion.
  • Lesson learned: you have to stay focused—celebrations are fleeting and tour life is relentless.
  • Example: After her breakthrough Stanford win at 18, she immediately exited next tournament to a lower-ranked player, which taught her the importance of remaining grounded and focused (08:20).

3. Behind-the-Scenes: Dallas Open

• Tournament Growth & Experience (10:53)
  • Blair describes the event’s new scale at the Cowboys practice facility and fun additions, like Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders performing:

    “The tournament itself has grown so much and the atmosphere was so fantastic... There were times when I could not even hear my own voice.” (Blair, 11:08)

  • Fun details: players eat alongside Cowboys staff, there’s easy access from hotel to venue, and the logistics are a players’ dream (13:47).
• Memorable Player Moments
  • Ben Shelton’s win and gracious interaction with Blair’s and Kim’s kids, Trinity Rodman sighting, and anecdotes highlighting the humility and kindness of top players:

    “He introduced himself, shook hands with both of them, asked them their names, asked if they had fun, and then said, would it be okay if we got a picture together…” (Blair, 14:38)

  • Both Kim and Blair highlight the sincere off-court kindness of Ben Shelton and Andy Roddick.

4. Henley’s Headlines: Results & Player Insights

a. Carolina Muchova’s Doha Win & Playing Style (19:23)

• Muchova wins Doha for second career title at 29, her first since 2019.
• Kim unpacks the “variety” label, noting Muchova’s success comes from:
  • Timing and selection, not just having different shots.
  • Ability to defend then transition to offense fluidly.
  • Overcoming injuries and benefit of a supportive training/medical team (22:29).
  • Notable: Muchova’s return to form after wrist surgeries, including stints with the Belgian “wrist specialist” (22:56).

b. Victoria Mboko’s Rise to Top 10 (25:02)

• Mboko cracks top 10 less than a year after her first tour-level win.
• Kim credits her early wildcards (from age 15), confidence-building experiences, and “free spirit” on court:

  “She’s such a good mover, she’s physically strong, she’s mentally strong… reminds me at times a little bit about Carlos Alcaraz when he first came on tour... you still see that innocence, but she’s also very locked in.” (Kim, 26:07)

c. Maria Sakkari’s Resurgence (27:17)

• Sakkari’s improved technique: more upper-body lean creating power, better serving, and better composure.
• Kim: “She used to be a very kind of straight-up tennis player... now I feel like her chest and her upper body is a little bit more leaning into the court… creating more power.” (Kim, 28:07)

d. Dubai Withdrawals & Tournament Director Frustration (29:36)

• Top stars Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka withdraw, prompting the Dubai tournament director to call for harsher sanctions.
• Kim provides a balanced view:
  • Small injuries can be crucial; players wary of risking longer layoffs.
  • As a former tournament director (Antwerp), she empathizes with organizers’ financial and sponsor pressures:

    “It takes... a lot of people to run an event like that. And you need sponsors... and they have to be able to sell it.” (Kim, 31:05)

  • Discusses historical and current rules, fines, and the tension between player freedom and event needs (34:07).
  • Blair outlines ranking/fine penalties already in place for withdrawals.

e. Destiny Iwao’s Candid Retirement (36:38)

• Iwao retires with a blunt statement criticizing toxic elements in the tennis community:

  “F you to a sport that hides behind so-called class and gentlemanly values. Behind the white outfits and traditions is a culture that's racist, misogynistic, homophobic and hostile to anyone who doesn't fit the mold.” (Blair reading Destiny’s statement, 37:42)

• Kim expresses empathy and hope that Destiny finds positives and perhaps a mental health role in tennis in the future.

f. Hall of Fame Induction News (41:18)

• Federer and Carillo’s induction sold out in 2 minutes (41:39).
• Kim notes influx of ticket requests, highlights Mary Carillo’s trailblazing as broadcaster and supporter of women in the industry:

  “Mary calls it sending the elevator back down... and she’s done that for me and so many others.” (Blair, 44:17)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I did break rackets. Probably most or…I think all of them would have been in practice.”
  Kim Clijsters, 03:59
• “This is it. Like, I just won a slam. And look at me, like, I’m still sitting here. Like, life goes on, like nothing’s changed.”
  Kim Clijsters, 06:49 (on post-victory reality)
• “He introduced himself…asked them their names, asked if they had fun, and then said, would it be okay if we got a picture together...”
  Blair Henley, 14:38 (on Ben Shelton)
• “Behind the white outfits and traditions is a culture that’s racist, misogynistic, homophobic and hostile to anyone who doesn’t fit the mold.”
  Destiny Iwao, via Blair Henley, 37:42
• “Mary calls it sending the elevator back down... and she’s done that for me and so many others.”
  Blair Henley, 44:17

Segment Timestamps

• Kim’s intro & hair/superstitions: 00:40
• Achilles rehab update: 02:23
• Racket smashing & frustrations: 03:59
• Celebrating titles as a pro: 06:35
• Behind the scenes at Dallas Open: 10:53
• Ben Shelton’s kindness & off-court stories: 14:31
• Muchova’s Doha win and playing style explained: 19:23
• Mboko’s rise to the Top 10: 25:02
• Sakkari’s improvement analysis: 27:17
• Dubai WTA withdrawals & tour-tournament dynamics: 29:36
• Destiny Iwao’s retirement statement & discussion: 36:38
• Hall of Fame induction/Federer & Carillo: 41:18
• Rec Room (recommendations): 44:37

Rec Room: Recommendations (44:37)

• Kim’s pick: Spoonful of Comfort (personalized care package with soup, bread, and cookies—great for anyone needing comfort).
• Blair’s pick: “Taming wand” for hair flyaways (“like clear mascara for baby hairs—total game changer for on-camera work”).

Closing Thoughts

This episode blends high-level tennis analysis with warm, personal stories from inside and outside the players' lounge, shining a light on both the extraordinary and the routine of pro tennis life. Kim and Blair’s chemistry and candor make for a conversation that is both insightful and relatable—whether you’re a diehard tennis fan or just tuning in for some thoughtful sports talk.

For more conversations like this, tune in to "Love All" every Wednesday!