Belgian tennis ace to rest until 2005

11 October 2004

BRUSSELS – Belgian tennis star Justine Henin-Hardenne said on Monday she would play no more official tournaments this year, blaming her decision on health problems.

Henin-Hardenne, currently ranked as the world’s number 3 women’s tennis player, said on her official website that she had decided to take a break from competition because she has been suffering from severe fatigue ever since contracting a virus in April.

“After long reflection, I’ve decided to put a stop to the season of 2004,” Henin-Hardenne wrote.

“The virus I contracted in April, is nothing more than the effect of the tiredness I got myself into a couple of months ago… I think that it’s very logical and understandable that I’m this tired. It’s high time I get some rest now,” she added.

Henin-Hardenne says she intends to get back into international competition in 2005.

Henin-Hardenne and her Flemish counterpart Kim Clijsters have put Belgian women’s tennis on the world map in the past couple of years.

Subject: Belgian news