No. 1 Justine Henin retires from tennis immediately

[Hardliner]

Never heard of her.

[Dr Sausage]

Henin is one of the best. She was at the top of her game, too. I'm surprised she retired right now, but I guess she wants to go out as #1. I will miss watching her.

[Rich Brannon]

Dennis the Menace wrote:

Who?
I thought Sharapova was the top tennis player. Never heard of this one.

Don't follow tennis much, huh????? Justine held the #1 for 117 NON consectutive weeks. She won 7 grand slams. Not bad for a small lady. Don't worry though, Sharapova will be #1 again next Mon. when the new rankings will be released. Ahhhhh, you will be up to date again. I also think there is more to the story than we know/think. If not, good for her. I'm sure, even with the divorce, she is finanially set for the rest of her life.

[J Johns]

For those who didn't know who she was obviously didn't follow women's tennis - or tennis at all. Justine had the most elegant - and deadly - one-handed back hand that I ever saw on any player (man or woman). As far as her sometime opponents the Williams sisters goes: Have you ever heard either one of them praise an opponent who had just beaten them? The very thought that perhaps they were simply out-played apparently never occures to them. It's always some or another injury that prevented them from winning. The most classless duo in the history of the sport! Their ridiculous father's silly spoutings only adds to the silly spectacle.

[Dr Sausage]

J Johns wrote:

It's always some or another injury that prevented them from winning.

I like the Williams sisters, but yeah they do tend to pull out the excuses whenever they lose. They can't admit that their opponent had a better game than them.

[TMD]

J Johns wrote:

For those who didn't know who she was obviously didn't follow women's tennis - or tennis at all. Justine had the most elegant - and deadly - one-handed back hand that I ever saw on any player (man or woman).

Ever? Wow. That's a pretty strong statement. I would imagine that anyone who played or watched Sampras, Laver, or even Lendl would strongly disagree with you.

.

As far as her sometime opponents, the Williams sisters, goes: Have you ever heard either one of them praise an opponent who had just beaten them?

Yes, many times. What you seem to be focusing on are some of those controversial losses. The Williams sisters have a nasty habit of answering specific questions posed to them instead of the vague platitudes we have grown accustomed to hearing after matches. When Karolina Sprem was awarded an extra point in the secound round match against Venus, Venus was asked how she felt about that. She replied it was part of the game, but that she thought it did negatively affect the final outcome. There have been many instances of questionable calls and on-court injuries. The Williams sisters speak openly and honestly about these events.

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The very thought that perhaps they were simply out-played apparently never occurs to them. It's always some or another injury that prevented them from winning. The most classless duo in the history of the sport!

You're letting your extreme bias show. The sisters have never cheated on court, berated an opponent on court, cursed at one of the court officials, or refused to play. McEnroe and Ilie Nastase behaved in this manner most of their careers. You really don't know much about tennis' history, do you?

As far as the injuries go, thay HAVE had a lot of injuries that have affected their on-court performance. Between the wrists (both), abdominal, and knee injuries the Williams sisters have had to play through many ailments. This, of course, isn't new to professional athletes, but when the Williams sisters make the public aware of any particular injury that may have affected a recent match heir detractors come out in droves.

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Their ridiculous father's silly spoutings only adds to the silly spectacle.

He wasn't the first, and won't be the last, vocal tennis parent.

Sharapova's father is every bit as "interesting" as Mr. Williams. He's much more vocal during the matches, and has berated tournament officials and other tour players. Capriati's father pushed her so hard she almost had a nervous breakdown. Mary Pierce had to get a restraining order against her father because he was so abusive.

It sounds like you have a problem with the Williams sisters (and their family) because of who they are, not what they do.

[triskyg]

J Johns wrote:

For those who didn't know who she was obviously didn't follow women's tennis - or tennis at all. Justine had the most elegant - and deadly - one-handed back hand that I ever saw on any player (man or woman). As far as her sometime opponents the Williams sisters goes: Have you ever heard either one of them praise an opponent who had just beaten them? The very thought that perhaps they were simply out-played apparently never occures to them. It's always some or another injury that prevented them from winning. The most classless duo in the history of the sport! Their ridiculous father's silly spoutings only adds to the silly spectacle.

the williams sisters are nasty. inside and out! oh did i mention that they have no class?

[triskyg]

Dr Sausage wrote:

<quoted text>
I like the Williams sisters, but yeah they do tend to pull out the excuses whenever they lose. They can't admit that their opponent had a better game than them.

i want some of whatever their mother is on.

[Rich Brannon]

Here is a thought about her retirement. Let me first say that I know nothing about her divorce settlement. I would assume she had a pre-nup which protected her finance's at that time. So, she gets divorced and since she was the bread winner in the family she has to support her ex for XXX amount of years, lets say 50%. It probably wasn't profitable for her to do this after giving him 50%, then 10% for the manager, 10% her and then 10% there etc etc and then taxes and then expenses etc so she says the hell with her ex, I quit. Unless there was a cclaus in the divorce settlement, unlikely since was only 25, she is free and clear. Or not

[triskyg]

Rich Brannon wrote:

Here is a thought about her retirement. Let me first say that I know nothing about her divorce settlement. I would assume she had a pre-nup which protected her finance's at that time. So, she gets divorced and since she was the bread winner in the family she has to support her ex for XXX amount of years, lets say 50%. It probably wasn't profitable for her to do this after giving him 50%, then 10% for the manager, 10% her and then 10% there etc etc and then taxes and then expenses etc so she says the hell with her ex, I quit. Unless there was a cclaus in the divorce settlement, unlikely since was only 25, she is free and clear. Or not

this is a good assumption.

[Tom]

She will probably unretire by this time next year.

[Tom]

J Johns wrote:

For those who didn't know who she was obviously didn't follow women's tennis - or tennis at all. Justine had the most elegant - and deadly - one-handed back hand that I ever saw on any player (man or woman). As far as her sometime opponents the Williams sisters goes: Have you ever heard either one of them praise an opponent who had just beaten them? The very thought that perhaps they were simply out-played apparently never occures to them. It's always some or another injury that prevented them from winning. The most classless duo in the history of the sport! Their ridiculous father's silly spoutings only adds to the silly spectacle.

The Williams sisters are a couple of ugly zombies on steroids. Justine Henin at least looks like a real woman.

[mipic]

She gives it up finally. I roar for her in the past.

[TMD]

triskyg wrote:

<quoted text>
the williams sisters are nasty. inside and out! oh did i mention that they have no class?

That's rich coming from someone who lives in the home of the Cheatriots.

Are you in the habit of just repeating what you responded to? Do you have nothing to add to the conversation?

Did I mention that your Cheatriots have no class?

[TMD]

Tom wrote:

<quoted text>
The Williams sisters are a couple of ugly zombies on steroids. Justine Henin at least looks like a real woman.

Regardless of what you think they look like, just one of them has more talent and class in their pinkie than you'll ever have.

And, as I said earlier, both sisters look like grown women. Henin looks more like a teenage boy than a 25 year old woman. Apparently you find teenage boys attractive...

[Rich Brannon]

quills wrote:

Who is she? This proves tennis is real interesting doesn't it. No one but select few knows who she is. Oh yeh,they are the ones who get paid the same as the men even though they work 40% less. Sounds like the sport I want to watch and support. Yea!!

That is not exactly true anymore. A lot of Men's tournaments are switching to the best of 3 sets, including the one going on now. I have always agreed if the women only play best of 3 sets and the men play best of 5 sets then the men should get more. Nobody can argue that best of 5 sets the players work harder.

[Dr Sausage]

Rich Brannon wrote:

<quoted text>
That is not exactly true anymore. A lot of Men's tournaments are switching to the best of 3 sets, including the one going on now. I have always agreed if the women only play best of 3 sets and the men play best of 5 sets then the men should get more. Nobody can argue that best of 5 sets the players work harder.

But apparently women's matches draw more of a crowd and thus bring in more money. This is why they want a bigger piece of the pie. I tend to watch women's tennis a lot more than men's. I just find most of the men players boring...and the matches too long!

[George Matthews]

I will miss seeing this small woman beat up on those negroes. That's what frustrates them. They are huge gorillas, but this 5'5" thin girl kicks their arses. They could not beat her on clay. I wish she would have at least play Paris. Now those goons will get cocky and they figure nobody can beat them. The Eastern Europeans are coming on strong. The game is lowered by the goons.

[George Matthews]

I doubt she had to support him. I would say he got a lump sum. They weren't married that long.

[Rich Brannon]

George Matthews wrote:

I will miss seeing this small woman beat up on those negroes. That's what frustrates them. They are huge gorillas, but this 5'5" thin girl kicks their arses. They could not beat her on clay. I wish she would have at least play Paris. Now those goons will get cocky and they figure nobody can beat them. The Eastern Europeans are coming on strong. The game is lowered by the goons.

All I can say is WOW. I guess you have a problem!