As Kim Clijsters progressed comfortably into the final of the Australian Open Tennis championship where she will meet the tournament surprise, Li Na of China, it was with surprise and regret that I read of the injury that has now forced Clijster's Belgian compatriot, Justine Henin, to retire for a second time.
Henin was a phenomenon of modern tennis, tiny compared to most of her opponents and yet possessed of an extraordinary talent that took her to 7 Grand Slam singles titles as well as Olympic gold in 2004. Her magnificent backhand must be regarded as one of the greatest tennis strokes of all time, played with her whole body and such freedom that it made ones' spine tingle.
While Kim may well go on to win her 4th Grand Slam title and Belgians will rightly celebrate, they will also mourn the departure of one of the greatest lady players ever, and certainly one of the most famous Belgians, in Justine Henin.
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