Whatever happened to love, peace, and the support of your nation no matter what happens? Apparently these little principles are completely lost on some folks playing under the Belgium flag. Instead of rejoicing because Belgium made the final of the world cup, sparks are starting to fly about who will be playing in the final.
The Times of Oman is running a story about how Justine Henin-Hardenne is pitching a fit over her “rejection” at the hands of the Belgian Fed Cup squad during the semifinals last weekend. She pulled out of the tie, due to exhaustion, but wanted to support her countrywoman from the sidelines. According to the Times, Henin-Hardenne was denied the opportunity, and to get back at the powers that be, she is refusing to play in the upcoming final.
Henin-Hardenne’s ever vocal coach Carlos Rodriguez supposedly came flat out and said in no uncertain terms that the five-time Grand Slam champion will simply be unavailable for the final.
“It’s out of the question, at this moment, that Justine is going to take part in the final,” said Rodriguez in a letter sent to the Belga press agency.
(source: The Times of Oman)
As if the Times article was not enough to start a fight, you have to check out Justine, rather Carlos’ statement on her official website. Unfortunately it has not been uploaded in English, but it is available on the French version. To the best of my translation (I love Bablefish!), Justine apparently stated that she would not be participating in the semifinal tie days in advance, but was told to sit tight on her announcement and only make it public days later, right before the tie began. Naturally, this sparked quite a reaction in Belgium as it appeared that Justine was just going to pull out on a whim. The statement is way too long to summarize here but the true gems are at the bottom – Carlos emphatically states that from now on, he and he alone will handle all of Justine’s Fed Cup affairs! Yikes!
The way I see it, both parties are to blame. Why on earth would the Belgian officials not let Justine at least just sit on the sidelines during the semifinals? Maybe someone should have reminded them that it was Henin-Hardenne who won both of her rubbers in the opening round, compared to Kim Clijsters who lost to Elena Dementieva in straight sets. What harm could she have caused just by turning up in Ostend to support the team?
On the other hand, I think Justine and Carlos are making a mountain out a molehill. Sure, Justine is entitled to having her feelings hurt, but her team, no rather her nation, needs her in the tie against Italy. If the Belgian team thinks Kirsten Flipkens can get past Francesca Schiavone or Flavia Pennetta, they are in for a rude awakening. Instead of firing off missives to the press, Carlos should have handled this behind closed doors with the Fed Cup officials and Justine. Surely the differences could have been settled and peace be restored, at least until the five matches during the final were over!
The Italian team must be overjoyed to hear this news, as victory is almost certainly assured if Henin-Hardenne does not play. I am interested to hear Kim Clijsters’ comments on this whole fiasco. Justine, Carlos, the Fed Cup committee, all need to start acting like the mature adults that they are and remember the real meaning behind Fed Cup. This is not an Olympic medal folks, this is not a Grand Slam title; Fed Cup is about a team, a squad of four players, competing for one thing, the pride and honor of their nation. At this point, nothing could be further from the truth.
