13
May
Small Number One Goes Big and Bows Out
by Kenzie Rochelle
0 Comments | Posted by thatgirl in Making Waves
In a tennis world that is dominated by long lanky but powerful players, where women stretch around 6 feet tall, a player like Justine Henin stood out. The 5 ft. 5 ¾ inch Belgian player was a tennis champion, the tennis champion, in fact, despite literally sizing up to her opponents inadequately. She stood out for her height but she also stood out for her ability. Justine Henin is the world-ranked number one player.
On Wednesday, May 14, 2008, this number one ranked player in women’s tennis announced her retirement, effective immediately. Henin simply burned out. After nearly 10 years on the WTA and a lifetime as a tennis prodigy, she said, “I always based everything on this motivation, this flame that was in me. And once I lost that, I lost many, many things.” While that flame was lit, however, it was quite a fire. It enabled Henin to win 7 Grand Slam tournaments and a total of 41 WTA singles titles.
This was one hard-core woman with one big dream. Her slight frame would have all but defeated her without an immense fighting spirit and a dedicated desire to win—not to mention a wicked backhand that cut through opponents. Henin had her share of personal and professional troubles (including divorce, the loss of a parent, an energy-depleting blood virus, and numerous injuries) but managed to step out on the court with an intensity few could match. She battled through, taking breaks when necessary, but always fighting to return to center court. When things got tough, she hit them straight down the line, with velocity.
Henin will be remembered among tennis and sporting fans for her spirit, for her tenacity, for her sheer grit. The statistics will remember her in other ways. For one, she is the first woman in history to retire at No. 1. “It is rare that an athlete leaves at the very top of her game in this day and age,” said Chairman and CEO of the Tour, Larry Scott, “but Justine has always played by her own rules, in the very best sense of the words.”
The rules would have told her to give it a go but not to set her hopes too high. The rules would have told her that her opponents were bigger and stronger than she was and that she could not consistently beat them. Henin would not stand for such rules. She set her goals high and broke all the rules in doing so.
Unlike most athletes including the golf champion, Annika Sorenstam who announced her retirement in the same week, Henin will not be taking a farewell tour. Her career has ended just as it lasted, on her terms. “It’s the end of a wonderful adventure but it’s something I have been thinking about for a long time. I have experienced everything I could have. I have lived completely for tennis. I am relieved and proud of what I achieved.”
Justine Henin’s Notable Achievements
• Won the only gold medal for Belgium in the 2004 Athens Olympics.
• Finished 3 seasons ranked Number 1 (2003, 2006, 2007).
• Won 10 titles in 2007, including two majors, becoming the first female athlete to surpass $5 million in one season.
• Won the French Open, Roland Garros, four times in five years (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007).