Justine Henin Retires From Professional Tennis
Women's world number one 25 year-old Belgian Justine Henin has said that she is retiring from professional tennis. The seven Grand Slam titles and four-time French Open winner, lost to Dinara Safina in the third round of the German Open last week and has pulled out of this week's Italian Open citing fatigue.
The recent slump in her game is responsible for the decision which the 5 foot 5 inch player has taken, with immediate effect. Having lost four times in the last four months seems to have been the defining moment. This is how it looked this season: She lost out to Maria Sharapova in the Australian Open quarterfinals in January, then was thrashed by Serena Williams at the Sony Ericsson Open in April in one of the biggest losses for a top ranking player in nine years.
Belgian Fed Cup captain Sabine Appelmans said: "She finds it tough, losing matches she normally would not lose." Henin added:
"It's the end of a wonderful adventure but it's something I have been thinking about for a long time.This is the end of a child's dream. I have experienced everything I could have. I have lived completely for tennis. I am relieved and proud of what I achieved."
It's no secret that Henin's personal life has been rather rocky after losing her mother to cancer aged 12 and reuniting with her father after ten years of separation. Even her four year marriage to Pierre-Yves Hardenne ended in 2007. Despite saying her balance between tennis and personal life was on track, her game suffered.
To see how the other female stars of tennis are faring check out Bodog's WTA odds. There's still time to place some cheeky cash on Maria Sharapova's game against Dominika Cibulkova.
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