ESPN Tennis

BUENOS AIRES -- Wednesday was a sad day for me. But I also felt somewhat happy because one of the best tennis players ever said goodbye with the No. 1 on her back, walking away by the front door as big champions do.

First, I will speak to you, Justine, and then I will explain to all our readers. I would like to speak to you because you are the protagonist of this fairy tale. I would like to thank Carlos "Titi" Rodríguez, her coach, and you for giving yourself to the gods of tennis, and for making me enjoy your tennis and attitude so much. The path you leave will serve as an example for many little girls who will follow your lead for many generations.

I also want to thank Titi for being your guide, teacher and friend in the hardest and sweetest moments. Plus, since your announcement, my career -- I'm talking about Paola Suarez's career -- is now bigger, considering I had the privilege of sharing the tour, practices, games, meals and titles with Justine Henin, someone I appreciate and admire and of whom I feel proud of for all the things she has accomplished, not only in her tennis career, but also in her life.

Justine was born on June 1, 1982, in Liege, Belgium. When she was a little girl, at 11 years old, her mom took her to Roland Garros. While watching a match at the Phillipe Chatrier central court, Justin told her mom: "Some day I will play this tournament's final." Her mother died two years later and Justine suffered enormously from the loss. She not only achieved her promise, but also exceeded it: Justine won Roland Garros four times, the U.S. Open twice and the Australian Open once. That was not all. She also won the gold medal in Athens 2004 and several Masters Championships, as well as many other tournaments around the world.

To put an end to one of the finest sporting careers of all times, Justine called a press conference at her club, in Belgium, and together with her coach and partner, Titi, said goodbye in the greatest and most humble way, like the No. 1 player in the world and the current Roland Garros, U.S. Open, Masters Championships and Olympic Games champion should.

Justine retired because she feels tired. This statement does not sound very convincing, but it's not easy to be the best player in the world. You have to put lots of hours into practice, sacrificing yourself, and after achieving many goals, your motivation decreases. Behind that petite blonde there is an enormous pressure -- from sponsors, WTA, fans … and also from herself, feeling that she cannot lose and has to win every time.

Faced by such reality on a daily basis, with its pros and cons, the pressure sometimes becomes a burden too heavy to carry. And Justine Henin held it long enough, with 117 consecutive weeks as the No. 1 player in the world.

So I hope you have gotten to understand, from my own experience, why such a strong, young and seasoned girl decides to retire in her peak.

I just want to say this to you, Justine: Congratulations! And good luck in this new venture. Last Wednesday night, when you went to bed as a former tennis player, you started a new stage in your life. And I'm sure you dreamed about all the many wonderful moments you had in your tennis career. Dreams that became true …

Former WTA tennis player Paola Suárez, who retired in September 2007, writes about tennis for ESPNDeportes.