Tennis Shocker: Justine Henin Retires!

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Justine Henin, the number one women's player in the world has announced her retirement at the age of 25!

I don't know about you, but I'm floored.  For her to retire is one thing.  For her to retire right before the French Open, which she loves and which she's won four times is shocking. 

According to BBC Sport:

The 25-year-old insists her decision is final after confirming the shock news in her native Belgium on Wednesday.

"It's the end of a wonderful adventure but it's something I have been thinking about for a long time," said the winner of seven Grand Slam singles titles.

The article continued:

Henin also insists that, unlike many other sports stars who have retired at an early age, she will not change her mind.

"A new future is ahead and I won't go back on this decision," she added.

There's got to be more to this story.  It's entirely possible that Henin's burnt out and after twenty years in tennis, she feels it's time to move on, but I'm wondering if there's not some injury we don't know about or some personal issue we don't know about.

I'm not a huge fan of Henin's, but I respect her work ethic and her accomplishments in the world of tennis.  And once I get my jaw off the ground, I might have more to say about this.
 

Comments

[Denise]

Hmmm retiring at 25 - after thinking about it for a "long time". Hmmmm....

And what does it say about us that we're here speculating that there's something "unsaid" driving this retirement?

[Megan]

Hi Denise,

My speculation stems from the lack of any hint that Justine was thinking about retiring, and also because she's such a tough competitor.

I would never expect her to retire after a few uncharacteristic loses. Some other players, yes. Her? No.

And the speculation is a by product of my own inner cynic where these kinds of sudden announcements are concerned.

Megan