Bitter-Sweet Farewell

Farewell to...
Justine Henin



I was quite shocked (and slightly relieved) by the news of Justine Henin's immediate retirement from tennis - at the age of 25 only!! even worse than my then-favourite player Kim Clijsters retiring at 23... what's wrong with these Belgiums??!! - because she was the world no.1 for like, 117 weeks!!

Her achievements included winning her seventh and final Grand Slam singles title at the 2007 US open, beating both Serena and Venus Williams en route, the only player ever to beat both Williams sisters at a Grand Slam and going on to win the title; In 2007 she had her most successful season ever, winning 10 titles (including two majors) and becoming the first female athlete to pass the $5-million mark in a season; was of the most successful players of all time on clay, winning Roland Garros four times in five years (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007); Won every major title except Wimbledon, taking the Australian, French and US Opens at least once, along with two season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships (2006, 2007) and an Olympic gold medal (singles) in Athens in 2004; she also led Belgium to its first Fed Cup title in 2001. (from here)

I am shocked because she really was a fantastic player. She had a beautiful backhand and was a very determined player. Her second serve was always the killer (because she was too short to put in a good first serve... hehe) and her drop shots and volleys were BRILLIANT. However I am slightly happy because she always managed to beat my favourite girls like Maria Sharapova, the Williams sisters, Ana Ivanovic, Tatiana Golovin, just to name a few. But lately she has been beaten, so frankly I'm relieved because she gave the world of trouble to the other girls. Hehe!

But I wonder why she quit? She said she had no more feeling, no more motivation or drive to play the game. That's so sad! I guess she really played because of her mother. When she was small she told her mother she would win Grand Slams, but then her mother died shortly after so Justine was determined to play well for her mom. (or something like that??) I guess she didn't really have the passion or love for tennis but just played hard to achieve success. That's quite a pity, you know. It's like students who study just to get A's or kids who are being forced to play piano and not love it to bits... *sigh*

But anyway, good luck to Justine Henin, I hope she finds happiness in life (I doubt it, unless she finds Christ! Hehe) and a new husband...?!! XD XD