Au revoir, Justine.

Henin shocks tennis world with retirement

Justine Henin, the world's top ranked female tennis player, has just announced her immediate retirement from professional tennis at a press conference in her native Belgium. The five-foot-five Henin, who at 25 has seven Grand Slam titles to her name, lost for the last time to eventual German Open champion Dinara Safina of Russia last week in three sets.

Her retirement comes as a shock to the tennis world, especially because she is the first player, male or female, to quit while at the top of the world rankings. She is also the reigning champion at the US Open and the French Open, which will start in less than two weeks' time.

Henin, whose one-handed backhand was referred to by John McEnroe as the best in the game, has had a tough year by her standards, losing four times in the last four months. Her most painful loss came at the hands of Serena Williams, who drubbed her, 6-2, 6-0, at the quarterfinals of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami a month ago. Williams, with whom Henin had a close and intriguing rivalry, said that she felt "sad to see her go. She was a champion and she will always be remembered."

WTA Tour President Larry Scott also lamented Henin's shocking decision, saying "It is rare that an athlete leaves at the very top of her game in this day and age." He added, however, that the Belgian had a "fighting spirit second to none," and that she "will always be remembered as one of the all-time great champions" of the game.

The four-time Roland Garros champion's departure from tennis leaves Russia's Maria Sharapova to take over the top spot, followed by Serbian Ana Ivanovic at number two.

- 14 May 2008

Kit Undug for AP