Justine Henin (En.) life and biography

Justine Henin, formerly known as Justine Henin-Hardenne (2002–2007), is a former professional Belgian tennis player and former World No. 1.

CAREER:

Henin won 43 WTA singles titles and seven Grand Slam singles titles, including four French Open titles, one Australian Open title, and two US Open titles. She has also won the year-ending Sony Ericsson Championships twice and the singles gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Tennis experts cite her mental toughness, the completeness and variety of her game, her footspeed and footwork, and her one-handed backhand (which John McEnroe has described as the best single-handed backhand in the women's or men's game) as the principal reasons for her success.

Critics and all-time-great players have made testament to Henin's talent. Upon Henin's first retirement from the WTA in the early part of the 2008 season, Billie Jean King said that "pound for pound, Henin is the best tennis player of her generation." as well as that "Justine is the best women's athlete I've ever seen." Andre Agassi said of Henin, "Justine Henin is one of the most talented women ever to have played the game of tennis." In 2007, 18 time Grand Slam winner Martina Navratilova said that "She is head and shoulders above everyone else right now." John McEnroe concurred, saying that Henin is "The player I most like to watch." Henin made a return to the WTA in early 2010, losing the final of the Australian Open in only her 2nd tournament back.

On 26 January 2011, she announced that she had been forced to retire from professional tennis once again because of an elbow injury.

Singles Titles

2010: Stuttgart, 's-Hertogenbosch
2008: Sydney, Antwerp
2007: Dubai, Doha, Warsaw, Roland Garros, Eastbourne, Toronto, US Open, Stuttgart, Zürich, WTA Championships
2006: Sydney, Dubai, Roland Garros, Eastbourne, New Haven, WTA Championships
2005: Charleston, Warsaw, Berlin, Roland Garros
2004: Australian Open, Sydney, Dubai, Indian Wells, Olympics
2003: Roland Garros, Dubai, Charleston, Berlin, San Diego, Toronto, US Open, Zürich
2002: Berlin, Linz
2001: Gold Coast, Canberra, 's-Hertogenbosch
1999: Antwerp

Doubles Titles
2002: Gold Coast, Zürich

PERSONAL:

Coached by Carlos Rodríguez since age 14
Baseliner who prefers clay courts; backhand is strongest shot
Favorite place to visit is Montréal, where her godfather lives
Superstition is to avoid walking on court lines between points
Tennis player most admired is Graf for elegance on court and all she accomplished in her career
Took up skydiving following 2004 Olympic win
Favorite music artists include Céline Dion.

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