Is Henin-Hardenne the next Steffi Graf?

Could Justine Henin-Hardenne be the next Steffi Graf of women’s tennis? It may happen, but at this point in Henin-Hardenne’s career, I just do not think so. Apparently, I am not alone in this thought, as Justine agrees that she has a long way to go before she can see her name linked with one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

But the 24-year-old, who has always claimed a great admiration for Graf, is clearly uncomfortable with the comparison with the German great.

“It’s pretty amazing what she has achieved,” said Henin-Hardenne, who has now won a total of five grand slams after also prevailing in the 2003 US Open and the 2004 Australian Open. Steffi won here six times, she was a real champion. Seles and Sanchez-Vicario won three times and now there is me. It’s amazing for me to be with all those names.”
[. . . ]
“Some of them did things that cannot be repeated, they were the greatest champions and I would not even dream of comparing myself to them. It’s incredible winning so many grand slams, I feel inspired by them.

(source: The Scotsman)

By the time Steffi Graf turned twenty-four, the same age Justine Henin-Hardenne is now, she had already won fourteen Grand Slam major titles, including the Golden Slam in 1988. Even more impressive is that also by the age of 24, she almost completed the Grand Slam another two times in 1989 and 1993, but she lost in the final of Roland Garros in 1989 and the final of the Australian Open in 1993.

Henin-Hardenne has only won five grand slam singles titles; the same amount as Venus Williams, but less than Serena Williams and Monica Seles. Her three titles at Roland Garros prove that she is certainly the best clay court player of this era, but she has yet to win Wimbledon. She could turn out to be the next Steffi Graf, because after all anything is possible. But she better start making up for lost time soon!

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