MELBOURNE – Kim Clijsters Thursday said she was shocked to hear fellow Belgian Justine Henin had called it quits, and saddened that the pint-sized great’s career had been cut short by injury. Clijsters, who like Henin took a mid-career break but has won two Grand Slams since returning, said she did not know that the seven-time major-winner’s persistent elbow injury was so serious.
Henin, who ended a two-year retirement early last year, made a low-key announcement on her website, just days after being bundled out of the Australian Open by Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova. “I mean, I was obviously surprised when I heard that news this morning,” Clijsters said. “To be honest, I haven’t been in touch with her, so I can’t really know what the situation is with her elbow.
“Obviously it’s a sad situation to see such a great player end her career in this kind of way.” Henin reached last year’s Australian Open final shortly after returning to tennis, but her comeback was derailed after injuring her elbow while playing Clijsters in Wimbledon’s fourth round.
She missed the rest of the season and struggled to a three-set win against India’s Sania Mirza in the ongoing Australian Open before being knocked out by Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova. However, she gave no clues she was about to give up the sport as she departed Melbourne.
“It wasn’t the best day I’ve had in my career so far. I hope next time it’s going to be better,” Henin said last week, adding that she would have to be “patient” with her injury.
