 Mauresmo first reached the final in 1999, losing to Martina Hingis |
Amelie Mauresmo refused to let Justine Henin-Hardenne's retirement in the final cloud her enjoyment of a first Grand Slam title. The Frenchwoman won the Australian Open after Henin-Hardenne retired with stomach problems when trailing 6-1 2-0 in Saturday's final.
"What can I say?" she said. "Am I going to make controversy about that? No. That's not the day for this for me.
"I just knew I was ready to die on that court today. That's the way I was."
It was the third time in the tournament that Mauresmo won a match after her opponent retired, following earlier withdrawals by Michaella Krajicek and Kim Clijsters.
"I think for all of them there was a reason, and that reason was maybe the physical preparation," said Mauresmo.
"Today, maybe the nerves got in also. I'm just still wondering what happened."
MMIX
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