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Henin announces retirement
World number one Justine Henin has announced her retirement from tennis with immediate effect.
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Comments (39)
Alex Houghton says...
Firstly to Alison, just to clear her comments up. How can Justine not compete if she is ranked no1 winning 7 GS and 41 tournaments on the way? And how can you call hitting shot after shot from the baseline a la Venus graceful? Justine was a magnificent player who covered all the court and could turn defence into attack in a instant. Probably her most potent weapon though was her fighting spirit. Anyone who witnessed the Henin/Capriati SF in the US Open 2003 would have to agree. I big loss to the women's game and tennis overall. An inspiration to many.
Posted 15:20 14th May 2008
Philip Headley says...
It would be unfortunate if she retires at such a young age; but I believe it is further testament that there are too many tournaments and tennis players are forced to play too often. Most other sports, hockey, cricket (although with the addition of the 20/20 , IPL etc the players schedule is becoming too full), soccer, baseball, football (USA) etc - ALL have OFF -seasons. No such hiatus happens in tennis ! To be a tennis champion you have to WIN 7 games in a very short space of time - one lost and you are OUT ! Tennis players need scheduled off-time for their bodies to recuperate and heal.
Posted 15:06 14th May 2008
Bob Woodley says...
She's been my favorite player since I first saw her in the 2001 FO semifinal, and in my view the best female player in history. She's had lots of health problems in her career, but when healthy, she's been incredible to watch. Obviously something has been wrong with her this year, despite what she says. I hope she just takes a break and gets healthy again. If not, she's given me more pleasure than any female player ever, and I wish her all the best. My interest in women's tennis will plummet when she's gone. We'll never see another small player near the top of women's tennis, nor another one-handed backhand. She's unique in history, and I'm just glad I have been able to watch her play for seven years.
Posted 13:53 14th May 2008
Ashley Wang says...
Venus Williams's grace? Stop kidding! Venus is one of the most ungainly player on the tour and Justine has one of the most fluid versatile games of all time! She can't compete with other players? Well, why then she's one of the most dominant players of this decade? Her records tell you everything!
Posted 13:51 14th May 2008
Harry N says...
I can't believe she is actually retiring. I mean, this would be the most shocking retirement in the tennis world. What a loss to tennis. I mean, she was amazing. I'm not a fan of her but I really hope she does not retire.
Posted 12:48 14th May 2008
Caswell Palmer says...
I truly hope this is just a rumour and not actually the truth as it would be a shame to loose a tennis player so young and who is one of the best the game as seen in a long while. Not only is Justine one of the smallest tennis player on the WTA tour but also one of the most complete player around. She if fearless and brilliant with an all court game only some could wish for, all that said I would like to wish her all the best in her furture endeavours we tennis fans will miss you very much. Caswell
Posted 12:41 14th May 2008
Jonathan G says...
Firstly, it is not known yet whether this is a rumour or not. Secondly, if she is 'retiring' citing fatigue it may be ME (chronic fatigue syndrome). Thirdly, agreed, she is a fantastic pro, one of the reasons i watch wimbledon, - i agree with Sal, you don't have to be tall skinny and grunt a lot to play gracefully and succeed!! I only hope this isn't true and she enters Wimbledon this year!
Posted 10:37 14th May 2008
Tom Henbery says...
Anyone that has a bad word to say about Justine should think twice. Awesome player. Awesome forehand, awesome backhand, probably the best i have ever seen. Bear in mind these girls play the tour from about 15 years old, fair play ten years is along time to give, and she has given ....more than most. Let her retire, she has earnt it, a legend of the game , let her have a life back she deserves it.
Posted 10:33 14th May 2008
Lee Lindsay says...
Alison, how can you say she cant compete? She has 7 Grandslam Titles. Venus and Serena are the ones that couldn't cut it. she has more Single Grandslam titles than Venus, 1 less than Serena and hasn't been in the top 10 as long as either of them. The physical demand on tennis players young or old is tough. I play at Edbaston Priory and only last night do I see competitive juniors walking off crying after having a bad performance because their coaches and parents are putting too much pressure on them. She's a star and if she wants to retire let her be.
Posted 10:33 14th May 2008
Tim Lewis says...
Farewell to the Queen of the backhand - you will be dearly missed ! Would love to see you do out with a Wimbledon win to add to your Grand Slam collection - au reviour Justine
Posted 10:26 14th May 2008
Mark Pearson says...
Fatigue is as good a reason as any. She may want to start a family or have genuine health problems that are causing her problems. Anyhow, to live at the top and work at the pace the worlds top athletes do is a miracle in itself, the body needs to recover, perhaps she will think again and start afresh in the years to come. Look at Mark Foster, he retired, got interested and again and found a level to compete with the rest of the world. Give her a break !
Posted 10:15 14th May 2008
Alison Edwards-jones says...
always thought she was over rated as a player anyway. lacks the grace of venus williams and the power of serena. i agree with someone else's comments about retiring at 25 with fatigue!!!!! I think she's retiring due to the fact that she can not compete with the better players on the circuit.
Posted 10:01 14th May 2008
Buddy Santosa says...
Please don't quit ! A least play French Open !
Posted 09:55 14th May 2008
James Buckley says...
Gutted... Justine is a true great in the womens game. Graceful around the court with a wonderful single handed backhand when on song... gutted. She could definately win Wimbledon and certainly shouldn't quit. Come on Justine! Don't give up!!
Posted 09:50 14th May 2008
Sal Mehuddin says...
I love watching wimbledon every year when it's on the telly but I don't follow it year in year out around the world. I'm mainly a football fan and in football they say that Brian Clough was the greatest manager never to manage England, well, everyone has to agree that Justine is without doubt the greatest female player never to win wimbledon, she is living proof that you don't have to be the stereotyped athelete like being tall, strong etc, I mean just take a look at her and what she has achieved, and any young tennis stars wanting to know how to do a backhand, just buy DVDs of Justine's matches and you'll soon know 'unquestionably the best backhand in the game female & male' I'm a male saying that. It will a big loss to tennis. Justine thanks for the great memories.
Posted 09:47 14th May 2008
Jonny Rambold says...
agreed, one of the greatest backhands of all time. Thats including the men.
Posted 09:38 14th May 2008
Ryan Simmons says...
I Agree a great lost to tennis. With the womens game being so poor over the last few years she has been the only one who has reminded me of the good old years.
Posted 09:24 14th May 2008
Andy Cooper says...
How on earth can any top Sportman or Woman "Retire" at her age ?? if it was a serious injury I could understand, but to cite "fatigue" is a bit weak in my opinion..
Posted 09:23 14th May 2008
Therese Muchewicz says...
What a great loss to the tennis world. I first saw Henin-Hardenne - as she was know then - as a youngster in the final at Wimbledon where she lost to Venus Williams. It was evident then that she was going to be a great talent. In her personal life she has always struggled but always managed to play at the top of her game and give joy and delight to all who watched her. She has perhaps one of the most beautiful back-hands I've ever seen. I wish her all the luck in the world. This must be a tough decision on her part - still having several years in the game - but maybe being at the top for such a period has taken its toll. Thanks for the good times - Justine. You are a legend!
Posted 08:58 14th May 2008