Birthdays are always special, marking another year down in the calendar. For former WTA pro-Kim Clijsters, her daughter Jada’s birthday is a joyous occasion. As a tennis sensation, Clijsters reached the pinnacle of her sport by becoming World No. 1 in 2003 and claiming her first Grand Slam title at the 2005 US Open. What’s truly remarkable is her comeback story: after welcoming Jada in 2008, Clijsters returned to the court in 2009 and won three more majors, including back-to-back US Open titles and the Australian Open in 2011. She adores her daughter and even has her name tattooed on her left wrist. Naturally, Clijsters is overjoyed for Jada’s birthday. But it seems the 43-year-old’s BFF, Caroline Wozniacki, seems to have realized something else.

On Friday, Clijsters celebrated Jada’s special day with an adorable montage on Instagram. The post featured photos of Jada from babyhood to recent times, accompanied by a heartfelt message: “Happy 17th Birthday Jada! 🥳❤️ Watching you grow from my little girl into such a strong, independent young woman has been the greatest joy. But wow… 17 already? When did I get this old?” And then came Wozniacki’s witty response, focusing on the timeline.

Wozniacki replied with a comment that highlighted their shared experience as tennis moms: “Wow! I can’t believe it! I guess we are all getting old 😂🤪 happy bday Jada!” This friendly banter between former pros is endearing. Wozniacki, a mom herself, retired briefly after childbirth before returning to tennis in 2023. She welcomed her daughter Olivia on June 11, 2021, and her son James on October 24, 2022.

On the other hand, Clijsters seems to having a great time being a retired player alongside her daughter. The two get up to quite a few adventures and the former pro doesn’t hesitate to share them online!

Kim Clijsters shares a basketball mishap with her daughter Jada

Kim Clijsters turned a challenging moment for her daughter, Jada, into a lighthearted reflection. In January, the then 16-year-old rising basketball star, who plays for St. Rose College’s team, sustained a facial injury during a game. Sharing a picture of Jada in her basketball attire with a bandaged eyebrow, Clijsters captioned it humorously: “I guess she was right when she said that tennis was for softies…🫣😉.” Despite the injury, Jada showed incredible resilience, scoring 40 points and grabbing seven rebounds to lead her team to a 61-54 victory. Her determination on the court mirrors the grit her parents—Clijsters and former American basketball player Brian Lynch—instilled in her.

Jada’s competitive spirit is no surprise given her family’s athletic legacy. Clijsters has often spoken about their unique bond and how Jada has supported her through her own career comebacks. After Clijsters’ first-round exit at the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships back in 2020, she revealed that Jada had encouraged her to return to tennis, saying, “Mom, do it. If you feel like doing it, just do it.” Their shared love for sports brings them closer, with Clijsters reminiscing about training alongside Jada. “She comes down to the gym with me. We do exercises together. It makes me think of how it used to be when I was younger,” Clijsters said.

While Clijsters dominated tennis courts in her prime, Jada seems to have found her calling in basketball. Her recent performance highlights not just her talent but also the resilience she shares with her mother.