In the past 36 hours or so there have been two significant developments in the world of women's sports. Annika Sorenstam of Sweden, the greatest female golfer of all time and the winner in blowout fashion last week, as well as Justine Henin of Belgium, the current world number one player in women's tennis have both held press conferences to announce their respective retirements. The 37-year-old Annika will call it quits at the end of this season, while Henin, 25, will cease competitive play immediately. Both women cited injuries, desires to start a family, and the grueling life of their respective tours as factors in their decisions. Annika likened her feelings to those of Brett Favre, saying she too still has her competative fire, but can no longer handle the daily grind that elite performance requires. Henin, speaking in French, said that she had achieved her girlhood dream, and that she is now ready to begin the next stage in her life. It will be interesting to see these retirements, with both players still at or near the very top of their sports, will have any impact on either television ratings or attendance. Also, some may also consider Sorenstam and Henin poor role models, as their decisions seem to reinforce the idea that women cannot be both athletes and mothers simultaneously.
Tim Owen
TTh 9:30 - 10:45
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