World number one Justine Henin-Hardenne will skip this month's
Australian Open for "personal family reasons".
A statement was posted on her official Web site
(www.henin-hardenne.be) on Thursday after organisers of the year's
first grand slam had said she would not be competing in
Melbourne.
Belgian media later reported the 24-year-old Henin was splitting
from husband Pierre-Yves, the man she married in November 2002.
Pierre-Yves declined to comment on the media reports when he
spoke to Reuters.
"I need to address you to very important news, unfortunately
it's not good news," said the statement on Henin's Web site. "I
have to withdraw from the Australian tournaments for personal
family reasons.
"I want to thank you in advance for respecting my choices and my
private life."
Henin was due to travel to Australia on January 1 and her exact
whereabouts are unknown. A news conference has been pencilled in
for Friday but the time and venue also remain unclear.
Earlier, the Belgian who reached the final of all four 2006
grand slams but won only the French Open pulled out of next week's
Sydney International.
"I was told the withdrawal was for personal reasons," said
Sydney tournament director Craig Watson.
VERY DISAPPOINTED
"Obviously we are very disappointed, Justine is our defending
champion and the world number one. I believe she is quite upset and
we certainly wish her the best and hope she is able to return to
the courts very soon."
Henin finished the year as world number one for the second time
in her career after winning the Tour Championships in Madrid in
November.
Australian Open champion in 2004, Henin missed the 2005
tournament with a knee injury.
She returned last year only to retire from the final in the
second set against France's Amelie Mauresmo citing sickness brought
on by a reaction to medication for a shoulder problem.
World number six Nadia Petrova said Henin's withdrawal was a
disappointment for the fans in Melbourne.
"It's a big loss as she used to do so well in the Australian
Open," the Russian said while competing at the Hopman Cup in
Perth.
"It's unfortunate the finalist cannot come back to perform but
she has been struggling with some injuries and of course it's a
pity to miss the first grand slam of the year."
The Australian Open starts on January 15.
(China Daily via Reuters January 5, 2007)