Loena Hendrickx has never been afraid to speak openly about the pressures, emotions, and physical demands that come with elite Winter Olympic figure skating. But at the 2025 NHK Trophy, the Belgian star offered perhaps her most personal reflection yet. After delivering a mature, expressive performance that showcased both her refined artistry and her technical resilience, Hendrickx hinted that her competitive journey may be nearing its close this might be my last season.
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It was a statement that immediately caught the attention of fans, commentators, and fellow skaters. Hendrickx—known for her elegance, powerful skating, and ability to rise in high-pressure moments—has been a standout figure in international skating for years. Her success at the European Championships, World Championships, and multiple Grand Prix assignments helped elevate Belgium’s presence in a sport historically dominated by larger federations. But now, as the challenging 2025–26 season unfolds, she is facing the natural crossroads that come with a long and demanding career.
Hendrickx Balances Artistic Brilliance With the Weight of Retirement Decisions
From the beginning of the season, Hendrickx approached her programs with a sense of deep personal purpose. Each step, extension, and transition showed maturity rarely seen in modern competition fields, which increasingly prioritize high technical difficulty. Hendrickx, however, has always found her strength in balance—combining quality jumps with the emotional weight that transforms a performance from technically good to unforgettable.
Arriving at NHK Trophy, one of the most prestigious stops on the Grand Prix circuit, Hendrickx appeared calm and focused. Her practices were consistent, her triple jumps secure, and her performance run-throughs revealed a skater confident in her preparation.
But underneath that poise was a reality she would later share: she has been considering retirement for months, weighing her love for the sport against the toll it has taken on her body. Athletes rarely reveal such thoughts mid-season, especially when fighting for Grand Prix Final positions. But Hendrickx’s honesty reflects her evolution—not only as an athlete but as a person. You Can Read Winter Olympic 2026 Hase and Volodin Lead Skate Canada Pairs, Near Fifth Grand Prix Title
Winter Olympic Figure Skating: A Short Program Defined by Precision, Emotion, and Control
In the short program, Hendrickx delivered one of her most refined performances of the season. Her opening jump combination, a triple Lutz–triple toe loop, was clean and light, showing the kind of effortless flow she has become known for. Her skating skills remain among the strongest in the field, and every edge appeared smooth and controlled as she built momentum with each passing phrase of choreography.
Winter Olympic 2026: A Free Skate Full of Reflection
The free skate at NHK Trophy carried a noticeable emotional weight. Hendrickx’s music choice for the long program—a combination of lyrical and contemporary tones—allowed her to communicate something deeper than technical mechanics. Viewers sensed that each movement held meaning, particularly during the softer passages filled with delicate transitions, expressive arm movements, and moments of quiet stillness.
Her technical performance reflected both experience and courage. She landed multiple triple jumps, including a beautifully controlled triple flip and a solid triple Lutz. Even when she faced minor imperfections, her performance quality remained unwavering. Some skaters recover from jump errors by focusing harder on the technical elements; Hendrickx recovers through artistry, lifting her performance through emotion rather than tension.
As she finished her final pose, the audience offered a standing ovation—something rarely seen in Grand Prix events. Many sensed she had skated with the mindset of someone savoring every second on the ice, aware that there may not be many competitive performances left.
Winter Olympic Figure Skating: Honest Reflections From a Star at a Career Crossroads
After the competition, during the press interviews, Hendrickx was asked about her goals for the remainder of the season. She paused, smiled gently, and admitted that she has been reflecting deeply on her future.
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It was an emotional moment—not only for Hendrickx but for fans who have followed her journey from rising talent to established global star. Her words carried no regret, no bitterness. Instead, they reflected gratitude and maturity, the kind of perspective that comes from years of competing under intense pressure.
Winter Olympic 2026: The Weight of a Demanding Career
Hendrickx’s career has been shaped by persistence. She battled injuries, coaching changes, and the inherent challenges of training in a smaller skating nation. Belgium does not have the extensive training systems seen in countries like Japan, Russia, or the United States. Her achievements are therefore even more remarkable, representing a triumph of individual determination.
Her breakthrough at the 2022 World Championships, where she won a silver medal, was a turning point. It marked Belgium’s arrival on the global stage and positioned Hendrickx as a central figure in a rapidly evolving women’s field. In the years since, she has continued to deliver artistry-driven programs that remind audiences of the poetic side of skating—a dimension sometimes overshadowed by technical arms races.
But such a long career comes with physical strain. Years of triple jumps, training repetition, and competitive pressure take their toll. Hendrickx has dealt with back issues, hip pain, and the wear and tear familiar to elite figure skaters. Her hint at retirement reflects a desire to protect her long-term health, both physically and emotionally.
The Road Ahead: Final Grand Prix, European Championships, and Worlds
If this truly is her final season, Hendrickx is poised to make it one of her most meaningful. Her results at NHK Trophy put her in strong contention for the Grand Prix Final, a prestigious end-of-year competition reserved for the season’s top performers. Qualifying would give her another stage to deliver the type of expressive skating that has defined her career.
Beyond the Grand Prix, the Winter Olympic 2026 European Championships and World Championships could serve as emotional final chapters. Hendrickx has the potential to finish her career on podiums, not only because of her technical ability but because judges increasingly value her overall skating quality, consistency, and maturity.
Should she retire after this season, she would leave behind a legacy far greater than medals. She has inspired younger Belgian skaters, raised the profile of Winter Olympic figure skating in her country, and shown that beauty and artistry still matter deeply in a sport often dominated by scoresheets.
Winter Olympic Figure Skating: A Season of Truth, Vulnerability, and Poise for Loena Hendrickx
Loena Hendrickx has always been admired for her grace on the ice, but it is her honesty off it that has made her so beloved in the world of Winter Olympic figure skating. The way she speaks about fear, motivation, exhaustion, and joy resonates with fans who view her as both a champion and a human being.
Her statement This might be my last season is not a farewell. It is a moment of truth shared at a vulnerable time in her Winter Olympic figure skating career. Whether she chooses to compete through the 2026 World Championships or takes her final bow earlier, she will do so with dignity and authenticity. At NHK Trophy, she reminded the world not only of the beauty of her Winter Olympic figure skating, but also of the beauty of knowing when to step back and honor the journey.
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