Tennis-world number one Henin retires at 25
Tennis-World number one Henin retires at 25 Tennis world number one Justine Henin announced she was retiring from professional tennis with immediate effect. "It's the end of a wonderful adventure but it's something I have been thinking about for a...
Tennis-World number one Henin retires at 25
Tennis world number one Justine Henin
announced she was retiring from professional tennis with
immediate effect.
"It's the end of a wonderful adventure but it's something I
have been thinking about for a long time," the Belgian told a
news conference.
Henin, the winner of seven grand slam titles, had been
expected to defend her French Open crown later this month but
instead opted to turn her back on the sport at the age of just
25.
"I am leaving as the world number one and that is important
and it is always better to go out at the top," said Henin, who
won 41 titles since turning professional in 1999.
"I have been driving my career based on an emotion but I
didn't feel that emotion anymore since (last year's
season-ending championships in) Madrid.
"At Madrid I felt I had reached the climax of my career. I
had thought about taking a break, but in the end I didn't think
this was the right decision."
"I decided on returning from (last week's tournament in)
Berlin to stop now.
"I leave without any regrets and I know it is the right
decision."
Henin became the first Belgian to win a grand slam title
with her triumph at the French Open in 2003 and despite
suffering numerous turmoils throughout her career, she did not
let it affect her form on court.
Credited with owning the best backhand in the game, she
bucked the trend of the power players on the tour by climbing to
the top of the world rankings despite her slight 1.67 metre
frame.
A winner of four Roland Garros crowns, two U.S. Open titles
and one at the Australian Open, Henin admitted the lure of
completing her collection at Wimbledon was not enough to prolong
her career.
Tennis world number one Justine Henin
announced she was retiring from professional tennis with
immediate effect.
"It's the end of a wonderful adventure but it's something I
have been thinking about for a long time," the Belgian told a
news conference.
Henin, the winner of seven grand slam titles, had been
expected to defend her French Open crown later this month but
instead opted to turn her back on the sport at the age of just
25.
"I am leaving as the world number one and that is important
and it is always better to go out at the top," said Henin, who
won 41 titles since turning professional in 1999.
"I have been driving my career based on an emotion but I
didn't feel that emotion anymore since (last year's
season-ending championships in) Madrid.
"At Madrid I felt I had reached the climax of my career. I
had thought about taking a break, but in the end I didn't think
this was the right decision."
"I decided on returning from (last week's tournament in)
Berlin to stop now.
"I leave without any regrets and I know it is the right
decision."
Henin became the first Belgian to win a grand slam title
with her triumph at the French Open in 2003 and despite
suffering numerous turmoils throughout her career, she did not
let it affect her form on court.
Credited with owning the best backhand in the game, she
bucked the trend of the power players on the tour by climbing to
the top of the world rankings despite her slight 1.67 metre
frame.
A winner of four Roland Garros crowns, two U.S. Open titles
and one at the Australian Open, Henin admitted the lure of
completing her collection at Wimbledon was not enough to prolong
her career.