Justine Henin is retiring from tennis. Click here and here for the reports.
“This is the end of a child’s dream. This is a definitive decision. Those who know me know it is serious.”
“It is a new beginning for me. I feel like I already lived three lives. I gave the sport all I could and took everything it could give me. I take this decision without the least bit of regrets. It is my life as a woman that starts now.”
“Because of her I am somebody,” said coach Carlos Rodriguez, breaking down in tears.
I’m shocked. Leave it to Justine to retire in the most abrupt, puzzling and saddest way possible. This makes Martina Hingis’s (second) retirement look positively cheerful. Justine’s twenty-five years old, ranked No. 1 in the world (making her the first WTA player to retire while at the top the rankings), and was planning to play in the Olympics this year. I’ve always admired Justine’s discipline – her ascetic devotion to the the game – but damn, don’t you just want to take her by the shoulders, give her a good shake and scream “What the hell are you thinking?!”
This begs another question: Is Amelie next?
Tags: 2008, Henin, Justine, retires, tennis
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Justine was never my favorite.
And then this morning, I realized what a loss it is for the whole tennis community when she decided to quit. I will miss her.
She brought something different to the game… different from the big babe tennis that we are seeing now.
I bet Serena is kicking herself! She might be thinking: how come I did not think of retiring early like Justine did? Now I can’t do this because they will say that I am imitating her!
Amelie – well, she should retire if the game does not fulfill her ambition anymore.
Venus can’t retire. She has to promote her Eleven line clothing. At this rate, she needs to play till she turns 35.
I am so upset that Justine Henin retired. According to what I read on the Tennis Channel’s website, she was going to try to break her own record for most consecutive wins in the women’s singles. And if anyone could do this, I thought it would be her. But at least she retired while in the numer one spot. I hate when athletes keep playing past their rise to the top spot and leave with their tales tucked behind their legs. She’s going out with her head held high.
Hi gals!
Whether it was the “hand up” incident at the French or the cowardly retirement in the Aussie Open Final, I have found a myriad of reasons to dislike Justine Henin as a “sportsman.” But I’ve always loved watching her play. IHer crisp, all-court game and no-nonsense demeanor was such a nice contrast to the big babe tennis played by all the wannabe actresses on tour. Ugh, I’m getting really sad thinking about the French.
I have mixed feeling about the “quit while you’re on top” thing – I think it’s a bit of a cop out for a player of Justine’s accomplishments. Andre got it right – the top champions should play until they have nothing more to offer the fans.
He played his heart out.
Maybe that’s the reason Justine quit. She’s never been one for big public displays of emotion (today’s press conference being a prime example), and she guards her heart and her soul with the quiet determination of a nun who is saving herself for Jesus. She felt herself growing vulnerable – losing control – and she decided it was time to throw herself on her sword.
It’s her right, of course, but I prefer Andre’s way.
I’m with freakyfrites … I’ll miss her game, but I won’t miss her. She’s the embodiment of what it does not mean to be a sportsman. I do admire her work ethic and inner strength. But this really is a sudden retirement … you’d think she’d play the French and then retire, but no, she’s not playing after today. Puzzling.
Elite athletes should quit whenever they want, whether it’s on top, when they get fed-up or whatever. I was always very annoyed in Pete Sampras’ last years when the commentators were constantly saying he should retire. The very least such elite players have earned is for the rest of us to respect whatever decisions they make about their careers without us ragging on them. If Justine chooses to go out on top, more power to her. And if someone else chooses to play until he/she becomes a geriatric, more power to them too.
But I am surprised about Justine, just as much as the next guy.
Listen, I’m not going to say anything super controversial. But the more I think about this retirement the weirder it gets. I mean, the French Open is 2 weeks away. If you were retiring under normal circumstances, wouldn’t you say, what the hell, I’ll play?
Someone’s going to yell at me for saying this, but it’s starting to seem more and more like a Martina Hingis – I’ll get you, before you get me – kind of thing. Just think about it. . .and tell me I’m crazy!
FreakyFrite….you are not implying that she quit because is pregnant and the father is Carlos Rodrigaz… are you?
(I am sorry gals, I am just trying to be funny. I have a sick sense of humor…I am JUST KIDDING!)
Oh, you’re bad! But is that really more far fetched than Martina Hingis doing coke?