Marcia5
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Justine Henin has retired from tennis at age 25.
Wow, I was very surprised to read this. I wonder if she just needs some extended time off. What do you think?
Henin retires
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16/May/08, 4:43
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swedesrule
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Re: Justine Henin has retired from tennis at age 25.
I never really liked her very much to be honest.
And I like her even less since she's retiring for absolutely ridiculous reasons. reading that it sounds like she cant handle to lose, and thats the only reason for retirement.
Having said that, I certainly dont believe everything i read in articles, reporters do tend to twist things.
But still. I look at my favourites (mark and magnus....) and how injury has plagued their careers, and they would have LOVED to continue playing but had no choice. justine has a choice - shes just wussing out. and its not like shes retiring to start a family like kim either - she already tried marriage once and it didnt work.
maybe im overreacting a little but i think its really poor from justine.
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16/May/08, 22:23
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PattyW
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Re: Justine Henin has retired from tennis at age 25.
I think you're being too harsh, Christina. Justine's reasons don't sound ridiculous to me, mostly just sad. Apparently she has just reached a point where the mental fire is gone. The rigors of the tour seem to take a huge toll on players at a young age, whether mental or physical. When a fire burns as bright as hers, it's just not going to burn as long.
I have to admit that Justine has never been one of my favorite players either. She just doesn't have a warm or charismatic personality to me but I'll miss her on the tour. Her backhand was something to see.
Marcia, you posted the initial article. What do you think about Justine's retirement?
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21/May/08, 8:48
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swedesrule
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Re: Justine Henin has retired from tennis at age 25.
yeah, maybe i *slightly* overreacted.
It just bothers me when people retire early if they are healthy. But i guess if she hasnt got the mental strength to keep struggling with the tour, shes not exactly healthy is she?
i didnt really think before i posted - im totally overworked at the moment and was initially really angry at her but that was just my other frustrations finding a way out i think.
very sorry if i offended you patty or anyone else!
xo
christina
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21/May/08, 22:18
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Marcia5
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Re: Justine Henin has retired from tennis at age 25.
Patty, sorry, I didn't see your question earlier.
Like you and Christina, I admired Justine's tennis but she was not a favorite player of mine. I think 25 is a very young age at which to retire and that the top players have so few years to play that it is an irreversible decision, most of the time. It's almost incomprehensible to some of us who slog through less interesting careers for 40 years, how less than 10 years might prove to be too taxing to endure (assuming no injuries). But, given everything she has been through in her personal life, I can certainly understand why she might want to stop playing on the tour and live a different (more "normal"?) life. I wonder, though, whether she might decide to return within a year or two. It reminds me a bit of Borg's retirement.
Nadal said something recently that I thought might be a contributing factor (another straw on the camel's back). He said that he rarely gets time to sightsee or otherwise enjoy the cities (let alone the areas outside the cities) in which they play, because they either play daily or practice and do other work on days they don't play. I would think it would be terribly stressful (along with being lonely, and not being able to enjoy your home very much), that, with all the traveling (and for most players, losing most of the time) that you would be so close to enjoying a big benefit of the travel, but not able to do so - like going to an amazing banquet but being told you have to stand outside in the cold and watch, while everyone else is eating fabulous food and having fun.
Last edited by Marcia5, 23/Jul/08, 7:31
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23/Jul/08, 7:29
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PattyW
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Re: Justine Henin has retired from tennis at age 25.
Interesting comments, Marcia. I agree that it's nearly impossible for regular (non-celebrity) people with ordinary day jobs to comprehend what life on the tour is like. The stress of working at a physical job almost every day and having no time for a life outside of tennis seems like a recipe for burn-out. The players that travel in groups like some of the Argentinian & Spanish players seem to fare a little better, as they bring their social life with them. The tour has gotten too long and demanding to promote health, both mental and physical. Maybe tennis management ought to rethink the demands placed on the very stars they're trying to promote.
I'm sorry that Justine's left the tour because, even though she was not my favorite tennis personality, she was a player of smaller stature that excelled because of her shot-making, mental toughness and work ethic and it was easier to identify with her than with someone who is 6'2" and a muscle-bound ball basher.
Lots of players have come back for reruns. Maybe Justine will too after she has a break and clears her head.
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27/Jul/08, 8:23
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