Justine Henin has definitely had the best season of her career in 2007. Henin has captured nine titles including two majors – the French Open for the third consecutive time and the US Open. Henin’s dominance of women’s tennis has earned her the No.1 ranking for most of the season and also the No.1 position in the year ending Sony Ericsson WTA Championships in Madrid.

It seems things could not have gone better for Henin this year. After a difficult start to the season, Henin appears to be finally at peace with herself and her long estranged family. These components have been essential to Henin’s notable achievements in 2007.

For many years, she was regarded as the most introverted and quietest of the women on the circuit, someone who let her racket do the talking. That unbelievable backhand stroke and speedy footwork made her queen of the court. Henin’s consistency and mental toughness, as well as her small physique, always caught the attention of tennis purists.

‘The secrecy and mystery of her life outside of tennis made her an unpopular and shunned character on the WTA Tour.’


Henin is the kind of player who cannot be labelled a baseliner or a net-payer; she’s somewhere in between. She could be thought of as an all-court aggressive player. Despite the beautiful technique and timing of her strokes and service motion, her personality and personal life always raised big questions. Henin only talked about her tennis and her future in tennis. She never commented about her upbringing or her family, etc. The secrecy and mystery of her life outside of tennis made her an unpopular and shunned character on the WTA Tour.

Henin first caught the eyes of former tennis icons and tennis commentators in 2001 when she reached her debut Grand Slam final at Wimbledon only to be defeated by the then dominant Venus Williams. Henin was only 19 at the time but her talent and determination shone through her young years. She went on to win titles until her breakthrough season in 2003 when she won both the French Open and the US Open. Suddenly, the tennis world became even more interested in the small-framed woman from Belgium. The tennis press wanted to get to know the real Justine, the girl behind the tennis success. Even though Henin could not have been happier with her success, she shunned all attempts to get her to open up. Henin said she would rather focus on her game and leave her personal life private.

2003 was also Roger Federer’s breakthrough season. The Swiss superstar became more famous than Henin because he was willing to share more of his personal life with the public. Federer enamoured the tennis world with his charismatic smile at Wimbledon 2003 and his simplicity when explaining his success. Henin was more focused on explaining the strategies of her game and the strengths and weaknesses of her opponents’ games. Federer meant business when he got on court but outside of it, he joked with the public and allowed the media a peek into his personal life. On the other hand, Henin was all business, both on the court and outside of it. She only attended the public events and interviews she had to and only talked tennis. Fans were more interested in personalities such as the Williams sisters and the other more popular Belgian, Kim Clijsters.

In 2007, Henin has been reconciled with her family and has opened up to the public much more than before. She is still all business on the tennis court but with a few “Allez” here and there and some flashes of genuine smiles, tennis fans seem to be warming to her more than before.

These changes may be imperceptible to those who don’t know the old Henin. But for the player herself, her entourage and fans these are big positive variations to her personality. As Henin describes it in her own words, “My life is not all about tennis.” This year, she has talked publicly about her reunion with her siblings and father and even dedicated her 2007 French Open victory to her family in the stands and at home.

Every day, it seems, the real Justine – hidden for so long behind that brilliant tennis technique – is coming out. She allowed American cameras to follow her to her apartment in Monte Carlo and to her family home in Liege, Belgium. She did not seem the least bit camera shy as she was shown with her little niece and her coach’s sons. Henin talked about what a day in her life is like, what she does in her spare time and her favourite things. She has, without doubt, become much more relaxed and poised with herself and her surroundings. Henin can be said to be embracing life and victories instead of hiding behind her big tennis success.

Martina Navratilova regards Henin as the female Federer, and is full of admiration for her.  “Henin’s offence is just phenomenal,” said the 18-time Grand Slam winner. “She is just head and shoulders above everyone else right now”. John McEnroe also believes the same and has described Henin as “one of the best clay-courters of the era”.

There is still much more hysteria about Federer, who some believe is the most complete male player of all time. However, Henin’s popularity is growing as rapidly as her number of trophies is expanding (she's currently on a 20-match winning streak). She is way above the world No.2 player, Svetlana Kuznetsova, in ranking points, tennis class and popularity. Henin has been the most consistent WTA player for the past two seasons and the respect and publicity she is getting is growing every day. Her supremacy will make her one of the immortal legends of the game.

Can anyone match Justine Henin right now? Post a comment below or write your own Sportingo article.