Henin-Hardenne out of Fed Cup
Thursday, 13 July 2006 07:33Wimbledon runner-up Justine Henin-Hardenne will not compete in Belgium's Fed Cup semi-final clash with the United States in Ostend this weekend.
Just four days after losing the Wimbledon final to Amelie Mauresmo, Henin-Hardenne announced her withdrawal via her official website saying she feels mentally and physically drained.
'Justine doesn't feel the freshness that will be required in her attacking game to be on court,' the statement read on www.henin-hardenne.be.
'She will not play in the Fed Cup semi-final, but will be attending, to support the team in full voice during the weekend at Ostend.
'Justine has reflected, and it has been a difficult decision to make. She dearly wanted to help team-mates Kim (Clijsters), Kirsten (Flipkens) and Caroline (Maes) defend their national colours, but the fatigue of a marathon's worth of tour tennis these past weeks is the obstacle.'
Even without Henin-Hardenne, the French Open champion who is ranked third in the world, the Belgian squad will be favourites for the tie.
Clijsters, who could play three matches, is the reigning US Open champion and, at second in the world, is ranked 65 spots above the top player on the American roster, Jamea Jackson.
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