OFF: Can Anyone Stop Justine Henin in 2008?
Article by Aaress Lawless on Dec 21, 2007 | Print |
Merry Christmas and thank you for joining us for the latest edition of Open Forum Fridays! Today’s topic is Justine Henin, with particular emphasis on her potential for 2008.
Who do you think will be her biggest competition next year?
Is the Grand Slam, or even the Golden Slam achievable for Henin?”
Feel free to leave your opinion and thoughts on the best tennis player in the world below in the comments. Lurkers out there, this is a great chance to join our discussion and talk to other tennis fans around the world!
Our players to watch series is temporarily on hiatus because of the Christmas holidays, but I’ll be back with the last two installments during the middle of next week. In the meanwhile, the Tennis Ticker will be updated accordingly.
Everyone, have a great weekend, and a Merry Christmas!
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JimM | Dec 21, 2007 | Reply
If Sharapova had some match play before the YEC, she would have beaten JuJu. Hopefully Sharpova is finally over this shoulder injury, if so, she will take another major this season.
Will.I.AM | Dec 21, 2007 | Reply
I have to agree with Jim, Sharapova shows the most promise. She came into the year-end championship with barely any match play and she was close to knocking Justine out. If Maria is healthy and has adequate preparation, I belive she can be number one again.
The only other 2 in the top ten that could give her trouble are Venus and Serena and, unless they have been training over the break, I don’t think they are physically ready to go the distance with Justine (which is crazy to think because Justine is so small and they are giants in comparison!.
Cate | Dec 22, 2007 | Reply
I agree - Maria and Serena and Venus could all beat Justine under the right circumstances…but I hope they don’t. I love to watch Justine play. She always goes to the brink and her small stature and grit make her seem like an underdog worth rooting for. Sharapova has the glamour going for her, so doesn’t seem to need my support. Serena is so disappointing to hear in her press conferences, though her bluster probably shields insecurity, that it’s hard to get behind her. Venus is my second choice, though her flying off to third tier conferences for the cash rather than playing in serious tournaments is also disconcerting. They’re all great players, though.
Lance | Dec 22, 2007 | Reply
No doubt Maria gave us a good show in YEC and due to the lack of matches, she really did played her very best. But lets not forget, Justine is a tough competitor, she does not give up easily and she will fight for every point with all her best and it was proven in YEC. YEC final portrait the best tennis with a stunning results 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 and she still pull it. With her health at the very top, she will be the toughest competitor in the WTA tour and may she go all the way to the end with pride and glory. 2008 will be an interesting year for all players and my support will always goes to Justine..
Allez…
Chris | Dec 23, 2007 | Reply
Amelie Mauresmo
Venus Williams
Serena Williams
Maria Sharapova
—
Svetlana Kuznetsova
Jelena Jankovic
Ana Ivanovic
Nadia Petrova
Elena Dementieva
Nicole Vaidisova
Patty Schnyder
whoever she meets in 2R or 3R of Miami
Names I think can beat Justine in 2008. She isn’t infallible.
Diane | Dec 23, 2007 | Reply
I think the three women most likely to defeat Henin are Mauresmo, Sharapova and–yes–Jankovic. If Mauresmo comes back at the top of her game–and she is sounding optimistic–she is still Henin’s greatest rival. Sharapova is looking really good, volleying more, and is probably very directed toward beating Henin.
As for JJ, she has been on to Henin’s game for a long time, but the two things that have stopped her are her head (how many times can someone squeak through a victory against you before you give up?), and that mediocre serve. Her second serve HAS to improve is she is to beat Henin (and accomplish some other big things), and the first serve needs to improve, also.
Kurt | Dec 23, 2007 | Reply
I think some competitors will be able to stop Henin next year. They include the Williams sisters, Ivanovic, Mauresmo, Vaidisova, and Kuznetsova. The problem is that these players will have to play their very best to have a chance, and hope that Henin is below her standard. I don’t think Jankovic will ever beat Henin. Justine has figured her out and won’t let her back into a rivalry.
Side note: Serena Williams’ schedule for the first half of 2008 has been announced on her website. It’s very ambitious for her (11 events through Wimbledon, while she played 13 the whole of 2007). I hope she doesn’t get injured and can work her way back to the very top. When she’s on, she’s hard to stop, and it’d be nice to see a great rivalry with Henin in 2008.
Brett | Dec 24, 2007 | Reply
Watching Justine win with technique and willpower is so inspiring. I hope she crushes the competition again in 2008.
DT | Dec 24, 2007 | Reply
I agree, watching Justine outplay the bigger players is inspiring. She’s the best player out there, heads above the rest. Im over Serena and her lack of sportsmanship in postmatch interviews. As much as I like Mauresmo, I wonder if she’s going to bounce back so quickly. Her mental state was always fragile, and although in 2006 proved otherwise, i fear shes going to need a lot of match play to get that confidence going again. I don’t think Serena has a prayer of playing 11 matches before Wimbledon. Personally, I cant stand her or her attitude. I hope Justine dominates again in 08, but I want to see her SQUASH the William sisters.
PK | Dec 24, 2007 | Reply
Ivanovic and Kuznetsova will be very closed with Henin even win or lost, but have to calm down and play carefully especially not let Henin control the game. Both have to find out how to play when Henin forcing them to play a faster games.
The Williams sisters are the real competitors.
Sharapova for the less unforced errer day.
Jankovic must play more aggressive than her normal games if she want to win.
Cath | Dec 26, 2007 | Reply
In many ways, Justine’s biggest opponent is herself! She’s proved she can beat anyone, and I think her mental toughness in 2007 was a huge factor. The Bartoli blip withstanding, she had an amazing second half of the year while the others faltered badly. Serena never looked as good after the honeymoon of her return passed. Venus was superb at Wimbledon, but her game is absolutely perfect for grass. Can she repeat it? Mauresmo has always given Henin trouble but I’m not sure if she can recapture her form, however she will be a very dangerous floater in Melbourne. (Bet she’ll be in Henin’s half!)
I do think this could be a good year for Ivanovic and Jankovic, but only if both ake some improvements. Ivanovic needs to develop a little more variety - something there were signs of in Madrid. Jankovic needs a second serve, but I ama little worried with her attitude towards her coach in the YEC. Will she listen?
Sharapova needs to carry her YEC form on, and I think she should be greatly heartened by the way she battled in Madrid. However, Henin peaked at the US Open IMO. While winning all the autumn tournaments she entered, she did not play as consistently well as she did against Serena, Venus and Sveta in NYC. If Henin cuts out the double faults and unforced errors, she could sweep the board in 2008.
Joseph Manning | Jan 9, 2008 | Reply
I am a black man and I love Serena and Venus. But no one can stop Justine. The players in the womens game are mentally fragile and they can’t handle pressure. The only players that can stop her are the william sisters. But then again, they are seldom prepared for a tournament. So the answer is Nobody!!