|
|
|
Would you like to write your own article ?
Simply
email us |
JUSTINE HENIN ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM SONY ERICSSON WTA TOUR
Three time World No.1-ranked Belgian ends glittering career with seven Grand
Slam singles titles
ST PETERSBURG,
FL,
USA
Tributes are flowing in from around the world for
Justine Henin, who on Wednesday
announced her immediate retirement from the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour. The
25-year-old Belgian became the first woman in the history of professional tennis
to retire from the sport while ranked No.1 in the world
Henin, winner of 41 Sony Ericsson WTA Tour
singles titles including seven Grand Slam championships is currently in her
117th week as the World No.1, sixth on the all-time list. She has amassed
$19,461,375 in career prize money and compiled a 493-107 win-loss record in
singles.
But more importantly than any statistics,
5-foot, 5 Ύ-inch (1.67 m) Henin was renowned for her spectacular backhand,
incredible athleticism and unrivalled mental fortitude and work ethic.
"Justine
Henin will be remembered as one of the all-time great champions
in women's tennis, and a woman who made up for her lack of size with a will to
win and fighting spirit that was second to none, said
Larry Scott, Sony Ericsson WTA Tour
CEO. It is rare that an athlete leaves at the very top of her game in this day
and age, but Justine has always played by her own rules, in the very best sense
of those words. History will remember Justine for not only her seven Grand Slam
titles and three years finishing as the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour's World No.1, but
for one of the most graceful backhands the sport has ever seen and an ability to
overcome any and all obstacles placed in her way on the tennis court and off.
"Pound for pound Justine is the greatest
player of her generation, said Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Founder and tennis legend
Billie Jean King. I trust she has
not come to this decision quickly or easily and I wish her the very best.
Justine is an extraordinary player and a special person and a true champion both
in tennis and in life."
Added Scott: This is a sad
day for our sport and for her millions of fans around the world, but I know that
I speak for so many in wishing Justine the very best in her future endeavors and
hope that she will stay connected to the sport to which she gave so much."
Among her many
accomplishments, Henin achieved the following:
-
Finished three seasons as the Sony
Ericsson WTA Tour World No.1 (2003, 2006, 2007);
-
Won her seventh and final
grand slam singles title at the 2007 US open, beating both Serena and
Venus Williams sisters en route,
the only player ever to beat both Williams sisters in winning a major title;
-
In 2007, she had her most
successful season ever, winning 10 titles (including two majors) and became
the first female athlete to pass the $5-million mark in a season;
-
One 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.
|
|