Thanks Kean,
In an age when shrieking grunts and muscular power rule the tennis
world, Justine Henin proved to be a refreshing throwback to an era when grace,
speed and timing dominated the women's game. That all came to a grounding halt Wednesday when the 25-year-old Belgian announced she was retiring.
''I am here today to announce that I put an immediate end to my career
in tennis. I know it's a shock for many people and also a surprise. For me,
it's a decision that I have been thinking about for quite a while now. It's
not a decision I took after a simple defeat in Berlin,''
Declining motivation to compete on the professional, was cited as the reason for her retirement.
''I know the last months haven't been the best of my career. I am
leaving as I am still the world number one and that is important. I think it
is very difficult to leave the court when you are at the top of the top. And I
think the game against Sharapova in Madrid was the climax of the career I
dreamt about, and even more. There, it was like I used my last forces in the
battle. Everything became harder. I was leaving with heavy feet, it was
difficult to pack my suitcases, difficult to leave the ones I loved,'' Henin
explained.
In 2007 she dominated the tour by winning 10 tournaments despite a
turbulent season that included a split from her husband and a reunion with her
estranged family.
Several woman tennis stars were shocked to hear of Henin's retirement.
"I mean she has a great legacy, she did so much for Belgium
tennis, and she is Number one right now, left Number one, she's on the top of
her game.
Serena's sister and fellow former world number one Venus praised
Henin's spirit.
"She had a lot of desire and a lot of talent. I think it takes a
lot of talent to get to the level she got to and she knew what to do with
it," Venus said.
"She won Grand slams, she was Number one in the world last year,
she was almost unbeatable. If she felt it was the right decision, everyone
should trust her and that's her own instinct. You know once you find it hard
to do it, you shouldn't probably do it anymore. It's pity for a tennis,
because tennis will loose another champion,"
And that's it for Sports, back to you Kean.