Henin Retires from Tennis

It’s official: Justine Henin has retired from professional tennis.

In a news conference Wednesday, the world No. 1 announced her retirement, effective immediately. Her retirement comes just before the French Open, a slam she has won four times. Hmm - I distinctly remember talking about Henin thinking about retirement about a week ago.

“It’s the end of a wonderful adventure, but it’s something I have been thinking about for a long time,” said Henin at her news conference. “I’ve won everything I need to win, I have more money than I can use in three lifetimes, and I don’t have the will to play one day more.”

I wasn’t really expecting her to just BAM be done with it. I thought she might try to get her game back on track since she’s been slumping the last few months and then phase out of the game.

I liked her game a lot. She was an under-sized player in a field full of power-hitting giants. She was number one in the world for three years. She had speed to burn and a wicked one-handed backhand. And if she isn’t loving every minute she’s on the court, then she did the right thing to retire.

Am I disappointed? Sure - but not in Henin. I’m just disappointed that I no longer have my favorite player on tour. I’m not going to sit here and declare that Henin should have played another two years. I’d tell someone to go take a hike if they tried to tell me I needed to stay in my job another two years; I’m not going to do it to anyone else.

Some think she’ll come back - to win that elusive Wimbledon title. I’m just not so sure. Maybe Henin will leave tennis and find out she really does love it, but there was something about this retirement address. It sounded final; it felt final. And, at the very least, Henin went out on her own terms and I can respect that in anybody.

(Image: Newscom)
Justine Henin at the press conference announcing her retirement from professional tennis.