Did Justine Henin Retire Just in Time?

May 208, and Justine Henin announced her retirementwas planning to 'maybe spend the whole winter
from tennis. This seemed a shock on the surface,trying it'.
but a closer look may reveal it was good timing...It's a great career record to look back on - 7 Grand
She was World Ranked Number 1 player at the time,Slam titles, although Wimbledon eluded her. That
with the French Open just around the corner, amust hurt, because despite 2 appearances in the final
tournament she had won 4 times. So, why would sheshe never managed to win what is the ultimate prize
retire - surely it's too early?in tennis.
Well, she said she had simply had enough, and afterOh yes, don't forget to add Olympic Gold to the tally.
20 years simply couldn't muster the drive needed toLet's face it, the Olympics means nothing in the big
be a top of the world tennis player. Yes, she wasscheme of tennis, but nevertheless Henin was one of
well rewarded from a 20 year career with over $19Belgium's best medal hopes for Beijing, and the small
million in prize money, but to keep at that levelcountry where she is an icon is still coming to terms
means a punishing travel schedule, and morewith her retirement.
punishment from the training required.It is possible, that at just 25, a couple of years away
Henin said she was looking forward to living a little, tofrom tournament play may re-ignite the drive within
traveling the world and seeing more than airports,her, but it's very rare for retiring sports stars to
hotels and stadiums. She was looking forward tocome back and achieve the heights they managed
spending time with her family, and enjoying going outbefore.
for a run because she wanted to rather thanOverall, I think it could be said that yes, Justine did
because she had to. She had never been skiing, andretire just in time!