Belgique

Justine HENIN

aka Ms 300%

Ah, that single-handed backhand!

Justine Henin's signature move was so precise and so great that it lingers on in memory. But the Belgian's talent did not end there! Her effectiveness, combined with her grace on the court, won over the greats, including John McEnroe, who often compared her to Roger Federer. More importantly, Justine Henin was also a hard worker, with a phenomenal capacity for concentration, which often made her come across as very cold. With a game perfectly suited to clay courts, Carlos Rodriguez's protégée made waves at Roland-Garros, winning the Parisian tournament four times, most memorably in 2003 against her fellow countrywoman Kim Clijsters. With seven Grand Slam victories, she could have racked up even more trophies if she had not experienced major health problems. In 2004, a cytomegalovirus infection kept her off the courts for three months. Tough break. In the end, it was her elbow that held her back, forcing her to end her career for the first time in 2008 when she was the world's number one player. Henin came back the following year, making her last appearance in a Grand Slam final (her 12th!) in Melbourne in 2010, then walked away for good in early 2011. Today she is a deeply fulfilled mother, and the idol for an entire generation.

 

 

 

palmares

Titles

43

Finals

18

Higher ranking

1

WTA Singles, 20/10/2003

grand slam

victories

  • Australian Open (1): 2004
  • Roland-Garros (4): 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007
  • U.S. Open (2): 2003, 2007

finals

  • Australian Open (2): 2006, 2010
  • Wimbledon (2): 2001, 2006
  • U.S. Open (1): 2006

others

victories

  • Fed Cup (1): 2001
  • Masters (2): 2006, 2007
  • Gold Medal, 2004 Athens Olympic Games

finals

  • Fed Cup (1): 2006