Henin announces retirement
Belgian star shocks tennis world
Last updated: 14th May 2008
Henin: Farewell
* Won her debut WTA Tour event in Antwerp.
* First Belgian to reach a singles final at Wimbledon in 2001.
* First Belgian to win a grand slam title in the 2003 French Open.
* Beat Kim Clijsters again to win the US Open in 2003 and then again in the 2004 Australian Open.
* Won a gold medal in the 2004 Athens Olympics.
* Won the French Open in 2005 and 2006, only the fifth woman to win back-to-back Roland Garros titles.
* In 2006 became the first player to reach the final of all four grand slam tournaments.
* Secured the year-end number one spot on her way to winning her first WTA Championships in Madrid.
* Missed the 2007 Australian Open following the breakdown of her four-year marriage to Pierre-Yves Hardenne.
* Returnwed to win her third consecutive French Open, beating Ana Ivanovic.
* Won grand slam title number seven with victory over Svetlana Kuznetsova for her second US Open.
Also see
World number one Justine Henin has announced her retirement from tennis with immediate effect.
The shock news comes less than two weeks before Henin was due to begin the defence of her French Open title.
The 25-year-old has won at Roland Garros four times, including each of the last three years and she has seven Grand Slam titles to her name.
"It's the end of a wonderful adventure but it's something I have been thinking about for a long time," she told a press conference in Belgium.
"At the end of the match in Berlin (last week), all of a sudden was there as something evident. I decided to stop fooling myself and accept it.
Right decision
"I am leaving as the world number one and that is important and it is always better to go out at the top. I leave without any regrets and I know it is the right decision.
"Winning Wimbledon would not have made me any happier. I didn't feel I was capable of winning there.
"I stopped before Roland Garros because I asked myself if I could produce a better Roland Garros than last year and I realised I couldn't.
"I wanted to play in the Olympics for my country and would have been proud to do so despite the current problems. Some people never realise their dream of an Olympic medal and I have realised that goal.
"But I couldn't go to Beijing and do my country proud. It's time for a change."
Henin has struggled with fatigue and fitness this year and she pulled out of the Italian Open this week after losing to Dinara Safina in the third round in Berlin.
She began the year by winning in Sydney, before losing to Maria Sharapova in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.
Henin then won her home event in Antwerp, but has since suffered early exits to Serena Williams, Francesca Schiavone and Safina.
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Age of innocence
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Comments
Jide Shoffy says...
Definitely one of the greats, who will step up to the plate is the next question....
Posted 04:24 17th May 2008
Adeline Mpuya says...
Thank you Justine for the memories, Good luck
Posted 14:47 15th May 2008
Abdi Jibril says...
It's sad to see Henin retires from the game. I'd like to see her won the Wimbledon before thinking about retirement. She's been great player for the last 7years and has been great riverely to the william sisters, devenport and other great players. I'm really very sorry to see henin quit the game at the age of 25 and its bad news for the game and the players and the fans as well. I wish her the bes luck for the future and hope one day to see henin back for the tennis world. Without you henin tennis is mean nothing to many fans around the world. As a personal i except your decision but feel you could do even better if you decide to be back after may be one year break and i have a feeling you could be back one day and shock as again. Good luck so remember henin you left us alone to the tennis world and will miss you very much. Plaese come back soon...
Posted 14:01 15th May 2008
Alison Edwards-jones says...
at least andy cooper agrees with me as my comments seem to have rattled many here and they all have gone on the defensive. I have never rated her as a player and I will stipulate this more - she has no personality whereas the williams sisters are not only brilliant, everyone wants to watch them - just look at john mcenroe, love him or hate him he had everyone mesmorised as do venus and serena. I am not taking anything away from Justine Henin and to want to retire at 25 is her decision and nobody else's but remember Venus and Serena too have been child players and are still at the top of their game, I think Venus is 27 or 28 and is still a major threat to any player especially at Wimbledon where they all fear her. And to not call her graceful, she always reminds me of a panther about to strike their prey.
Posted 13:55 15th May 2008
Dandy Shindig says...
Ooooh poor me, no-one's paying me any attention because I'm not the best anymore... maybe if I retire everyone will say "don't do it! you're amazing!!!" rubbish attention seeking, and I find her really boring to watch soooo....
Posted 07:45 15th May 2008
Grand Slam says...
She will be back in two or three years. Henin was good but nowhere near the Williams sisters or even Martina Hingis. Serena is the only active player male or female that has won all four Grand Slams. Federer has never won the French and Henin never won Wimbledon.
Posted 03:10 15th May 2008
Oliver Porter says...
She will be back... Many players go through a spell like this.. She has been at the top for a while and that period is under threat.. But she has enough talent to be successful.. She will do a Hingis and take a well earned break.. Then come back stronger... The decision is a snap one.. She will be back..
Posted 19:31 14th May 2008
Rachael Wesaala says...
It's sad to see her go. She's been great, definitely one of the best ever. The first tennis match I ever watched featured Justine and from then on I have never missed any televised tennis tournaments. She'll be leaving fond memories behind. This is probably a wise move and I think fedex should follow suit within the next 18 months before he begins to undo the legacy he has created.
Posted 16:57 14th May 2008
Camille Vali says...
This is a major shock to tennis world. Justine Henin focuses only on the tennis and is a major role model for young tennis players. Justine is the reason why I starting watching tennis when I saw her first competing in Wimbledon, a star in the making at 17. Her passion on the court is inspiring and is technically gifted. Venus and Serena Willaims have nothing on this girl, a true professional.
Posted 16:42 14th May 2008
David Carson says...
What a complete disapointment that will send shockwaves through the world of Tennis. Justine is my favourite player and she's had a fantastic career and I know she's had lots of personal problems but to retire without attempting to defend her Roland Garros title is ridiculous. She's only 25 and is a 7-time Grand Slam champion and will be missed although I hope she reverses her decision.
Posted 16:25 14th May 2008
Jairam Ayer says...
I hate to see the double fisted backhand !! What a relief it was to see the single handed backhand of Justin Henin.I have been watching top class tennis for the last 35 years but I think Justin had the most beautiful backhand .It was a sheer delight to watch this pocket sized 5'5'' (I think this height was with the shoes) thrashing the 6 footers built powerfully with her beautiful all court game. Defenitely will miss her.Wish her all the very best.
Posted 16:16 14th May 2008
Kash G says...
Very sad! Good Luck Justine!
Posted 16:15 14th May 2008
Kash G says...
Very sad! Good Luck Justine!
Posted 16:14 14th May 2008
Jambo Fan says...
I can't believe it. She's only 25 but then again she has been playing at that (top) level since the age of 14. So that must feel like an eternity. She was and is the only person who could match the Williams sisters. I fyou consider her stature in comparison to all those who have failed a phenomenal achievement. Best of luck to her and her future career. I'll miss her and her lovely pegs!!!
Posted 16:09 14th May 2008
May Mathys says...
As I am Belgian myself, I am absolutely gutted!! Let's face it, there aren't many brilliant sportsmen/women from my little country. First Clijsters and now Henin retiring. It's a real shame but wishing her all the best in whatever she does. I'll really miss her in the tennis world.
Posted 16:03 14th May 2008
Richard Mcintosh says...
The retirement of Justine is a huge loss to the WTA Tour - especially following the loss of both Kim Clijsters and Martina Hingis, last year. Hingis and Henin, in particular, added a much-needed style and variety to the game, which is now dominated by the monotony of power serves and hammer-hitting, adopted by the likes of the self-adoring Williams sisters. It is a shame that Henin couldn't go out on the high of winning either the French Open for a fifth time, or better, winning Wimbledon to complete a career Grand Slam... but it's been great to have her at the top of the game for the last 5 years and I wish her well for her life outside of tennis.
Posted 15:53 14th May 2008
Barry Leonards says...
Bob Woodley has expressed my thoughts completely. I was always led to believe that " a good big 'un will always beat a good little 'un ". She has shown this to be untrue, through sheer determination, skill, technique, and guts. Mr Mc Enroe should tell her " you cannot be serious " and ensure she does not retire when still at/ near her best so we can continue to appreciate a rare talent. Justine---take a 6 months break, and come back refreshed.
Posted 15:42 14th May 2008
Marcel Loporto says...
What a loss for tennis !! A player who has always shown respect for the game and her opponent, always avoiding grunts, disrespect and above all the 'overcooked' hand signals which are part and parcel of some. Consider her in the Federer category, that is a champion without frills.
Posted 15:38 14th May 2008
Andy C says...
Sad sad day for womens tennis and tennis on a whole. Outstanding player, outstanding backhand. She will be missed. But keep practising Henin for your still young and will probably make a come back one day, as it seems to me you just need a good break.
Posted 15:35 14th May 2008
Omoniyi Falese says...
I think it will be a great loss to the world of tennis people will miss her a lot especially me.shes my number 1 tennis player and there can never be any justin in my life again.i hope she succeed in anything she wants to do afterwards.
Posted 15:35 14th May 2008
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