Justine Henin Retires

Justine Henin shocks the tennis world by announcing her immediate retirement from tennis.

Only 25 years old, she has been hailed by Billie Jean-King as the best women tennis player.

Henin says this is a final decision, which she has been contemplating for some time.

She will be missed by all tennis fans.

No Politics For Henin

Olympics Gold Medallist Justine Henin, who won her medal at Athens, is looking forward to the Beijing Olympics. Her passion is, of course, tennis, and she wants to play tennis not politics.

She responds to the fear that athletes at the Beijing Olympics may engage in political demonstrations or making comments about the Chinese government by saying that politics and sport must remain separate.

I strongly agree with that view. As guests and athletes attending the games in the host country, it would be abusing their status and privilege to adopt any political posturing. Leave that to others - if they're so minded.

Maria Sharapova Crushes Justine Henin | Australian Open Quarter-Finals

Maria Sharapova has just had a great triumph over Justine Henin at the Australian Open quarter-finals.

Henin's winning streak in her last 30 odd matches was abruptly put to an end in humiliating circumstances.

Maria played a brilliant game. After winning 6-4 in the first set, she crushed Henin in the second set by 6-0.

Sharapova has sometimes been somewhat unpredictable. Perhaps her recent win against Lindsay Davenport has boosted her confidence. Her next opponent is Jelena Jankovic, who had a surprise win in her last match against Serena Williams.

It seems like her alliance with Sony Ericsson as their ambassador has not distracted her. Maybe it even helped her to focus.

A great performance.