Henin-Hardenne under fire
2006-01-28 11:53
Melbourne - Justine Henin-Hardenne denied on Saturday it was unprofessional not to finish the Australian Open final and give Amelie Mauresmo the pleasure of a true victory.
The Belgian, who earned A$610 000 for being runner-up, retired with stomach cramps when trailing 1-6 0-2.
She said the pain was caused by increasing the dosage of anti-inflammatories she was taking for a should injury.
"I mean, everyone has the right to think that," she said when asked if it was unprofessional not to finish.
"But it's my health. I just have to think about myself right now because it's only me on the court.
"It's me that is feeling the bad way I was feeling. I don't care about what these people would say."
She said she feared a more serious injury if she continued and denied it detracted from Mauresmo's victory.
"No, I don't think so, because you have to take the opportunities. It's not her fault. I think that she did her job perfectly."
Mauresmo refused to be drawn into the controversy, saying she was happy to win any way she could, but added that "I was ready to die on the court today."
"That's just the way I was coming out on the court this afternoon," said the Frenchwoman.