Q. Disappointed but proud? JUSTINE HENIN: Of course disappointed, I mean, when you lose in the final of a Grand Slam, especially in three sets, and I got a few opportunities that I haven’t been able to take.

But this feeling of disappointment cannot take, you know, uhm, advantage on all the things I’ve done in the last few weeks. And it’s just more than what I could expect for. I just have to remember that.

Even if it’s quite soon after the match now, I’m sure there will be a lot of positive things I can think about in a few days. Uhm, it’s been almost perfect. Just the last step, I couldn’t make it.

Yeah, it’s mixed feeling at the moment. In a few hours I’m sure it’s going to be much better.

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The tennis world, except China perhaps, is anxiously hoping for a grand slam final between Justine Henin and Serena Williams. But before that Justin and Serena have to square off against Chinese opponents Zheng Jie and Li Na for a place in the final. Nobody from China has ever reached a grand slam singles final. So this must be a huge event there! Serena and Henin never played in a grand slam final against each other.  Who will be the ONE?

P.S. I love this photo. Both of them show Number 1. In Europe, when you do finger counting, you start with your thumb. Holding up your thumb means 1. I wonder how they do it in China?

Her name is Nadezhda. HOPE in Russian.  Is this her last chance for a first slam title? Nadia Petrova has been showing some powerful tennis at this year’s Australian Open.  She destroyed US Open champion Kim Clijsters 6-0 6-1 in the third round, upset third seed Svetlana Kuznetsova in the fourth round and is now targeting former world No.1 Justine Henin in the quarter-final.

Can she do it?

(photo: wtatour.ru)

photo: wtatour.ru

While the women’s tour’s number 1 spot goes from one person to another, more and more people realize how much they miss Justine Henin, and what she meant for the women’s tour. Times Online has an interview with her.

1. Personal growth.
2. Heightened health consciousness due to losing her mother at a young age.
3. Heightened urgency to enjoy the life while you can (again due to the reason given above).
4. No more necessity to prove herself in front of the once estranged family members or ex-husband after reconciling with her family and achieving a record success last season.
5. She wants to be free!

She is a brave woman.

Also check out my piece She is Already at the Top, So What’s Next? written as part of On the Baseline Tennis News’ 2008 Players to Watch Series.

What is your guess? Why Justine quit?

Needless to say that I am still stunned. I will miss Justine.

Good luck and happiness to you! Au revoir!

(in her own words)

“It’s a big day in my life.”

“This is the end of a child’s dream.” “It is a new beginning for me. I feel like I already lived three lives. I gave the sport all I could and took everything it could give me. I take this decision without the least bit of regrets. It is my life as a woman that starts now.”

“I know that it’s a shock and a surprise for a lot of people but it’s a decision I have been thinking about for some time.

“It’s the end of a great adventure, the end of something I had dreamed of since I was five.

“I have experienced everything I could have. I have lived completely for tennis. A new future is ahead and I won’t go back on this decision.”

“I also want to travel, to get away from the pressure, and to do many things I can never do.”

“The decision is final, I stop immediately with tennis.” “I stop without regret. I’ve given everything.”

Belgian media report that the world’s top ranked woman, 25-year-old Justine Henin  plans to make her retirement on Wednesday. It could mean she is retiring immediately, at the end of the season. or limiting her schedule.I hope she doesn’t have health related issues.

For a fourth time in a row, Swiss Roger Federer won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award, and Justine Henin won the women’s award for the first time. Federer was thankful that the selection committee didn’t think three was enough.

Henin, meanwhile, became the first tennis player to win 10 titles in a season since Martina Hingis 10 years ago despite skipping the 2007 Australian Open after splitting with her husband.

The Awards Ceremony was held in the Mariinsky Concert Hall, St. Petersburg Russia. Even Mr. Putin was there to congratulate the superstars of the sport world.

[TIB Note: Contrary to earlier reports by Russian media, I can’t find any confirmation that Maria Sharapova hosted the ceremony. I guess it was only a rumor, since Maria is in Doha, getting ready to compete in Qatar Open.] (Source: AP, Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)