OFF: How Will You Remember Justine Henin?
Posted by Aaress Lawless on May 16, 2008 | Print | Email | Bookmark
Now that the initial surprise of Justine Henin’s retirement has begun to wear off, let’s take advantage of this week’s Open Forum Friday to reminisce about Henin’s career.
How will you remember Justine? Which of her Grand Slam titles do you consider the most memorable? Is there a specific match that stood out to you as a classic moment in Henin’s career?
To start things off, here is the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour’s list of Henin’s accolades:
- Finished three seasons as the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour World No.1 (2003, 2006, 2007);
- Won her seventh and final grand slam singles title at the 2007 US open, beating both Serena and Venus Williams sisters en route, the only player ever to beat both Williams sisters in winning a major title;
- In 2007, she had her most successful season ever, winning 10 titles (including two majors) and became the first female athlete to pass the $5-million mark in a season;
- One of the most successful players of all-time on clay, winning Roland Garros four times in five years (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007);
- Won every major title except Wimbledon, taking the Australian, French and US Opens at least once, along with two season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships (2006, 2007) and an Olympic gold medal (singles) in Athens in 2004; she also led Belgium to its first Fed Cup title in 2001.
Everyone, thank you for participating! Have a great weekend!
Elaine Owens | May 16, 2008 | Reply
She was the person that cheated Serena at the French Opne and spoiled Ameli Mauresmo glory at the Austrailan Open .
Wilson Spaulding | May 16, 2008 | Reply
On April 27, 2007 the OFF question was: Who can dethrone Justine Henin at Roland Garros?
My reply was: “In this corner of the world Justine Henin is known as The Stealth Player: her slight, underwhelming physique masks a tenacious resolve (mental toughness), pinpoint accuracy, and astounding power (that whiplash backhand is an eternal marvel). Who indeed can rebuff Henin’s irresistable force?”
Of course she went on to win her third FO in a row. But no more of that (for now anyway). And again, in this corner of the world she’ll always have that stealth masking all that amazing ability.
As a friend said upon hearing the news: The Queen (Of Clay) is dead (in a manner of speaking)! Long live The Queen! Let’s hope she doesn’t stay “retired” too long. Gotta go.
Sudeshna | May 17, 2008 | Reply
Justine will be remembered as a player who built her own image and maintained it throughout.Her rising to the occasion in the face of adversity,her determination,her incredible crosscourt backhand,her deft touches,her marvellous court coverage,the poise,the agility will be missed.Yes,the petite frame with the white baseball cap used to bring out the worst as well as the best out of her opponents and made tennis soar to even greater heights…This is a huge loss for the world of tennis.
Her best GS title win…I would still say,was the 1st one..RG’03 ~ Serena,at that time was the seemingly invincible No.1..and to beat her in 3 tough sets was not a matter of joke…she made the world sit up and take notice of her…
Her classic match…Well..many..but I would pick the semi against Capriati at the U.S.Open,’03 ~ A memorable match…Justine was 2-5 down in the final set and looked completely exhausted,battling cramps..but from that point she made an incredible comeback and everything turned around…a classic piece!!
I wish Justine all the very best in all her future endeavours…
Thank you for the great memories..
Carol | May 17, 2008 | Reply
When I first saw Justine on television, she immediately became my favorite female player. Her small size, her smarts, her arsenal of shots, and her gorgeous onehanded backhand. I’ll always remember last year when she beat both of the sisters to hoist the trophy. That had to be the sweetest title ever. She’ll be missed. She may be the last of the “small gals” to win so many majors.
To Elaine above — now you stay classy.
Will.I.AM | May 17, 2008 | Reply
I’ll remember Justine as the player who I could never take my eyes off of. The power she generated from that small frame and that backhand! I can’t even put it into words. Justine will be missed.
Richard | May 18, 2008 | Reply
Elaine Owens nailed it perfectly.
I’ll remember her for being a quitter, because that’s essentially what she did. I’m interested in women’s tennis again after this, so I’ll be more on the lookout for WTA matches now!
Go Sharapova, new #1!
benjamin | May 18, 2008 | Reply
I have great respect for Justine for being such a great champion despite her physical shortcomings. However, I also think Justine has some unresolved issues throughout her life. Remember the incident in Paris against Serena, against Mauresmo in Melbourne, and now this??? If one didn’t know any better, one would think Justine has a knack of folding or walking away from the problem…. I like Justine, but she’s proven herself to be a little of a mystery. At any rate, I wish her nothing but the best in her life after competitive tennis. I surely miss watching her against Serena and Maria though.
pov | May 19, 2008 | Reply
benjamin,
her physical shortcomings? Sure she’s 5′6″ but i think the relevance of that is very overstated. Chris Evert is also 5′6″
benjamin | May 19, 2008 | Reply
Pov, where have you been the past few years? All the tennis experts have consistently pointed out how smaller she is compared to most if not all of her main rivals. Venus, Maria, Ana I, Svetlana, Jelena, and Serena are all taller and bigger than Justine. Just because Chris Evert is 5′6″ does not make Justine physically smaller than those stated above. Ten, fifteen years ago, 5′6″ may be good enough, but in today’s game, you’re considered relatively small.
Anthony Duh | May 20, 2008 | Reply
I would have to agree with some of the more negative comments. When she played well, I absolutely loved it. Her game was flawless.
But too many times, she would just let go and give up, and move on. She also felt that she could keep herself private. Its pretty simple to know that as the number one player in the world, she should have been more engaging ot bring people into the sport.
Still, i’ll miss her.
kj | May 20, 2008 | Reply
Elaine… you seem to be the only one carrying on that bitterness… both Serena and Henin moved on from that incident ages ago.
I don’t believe you are a tennis player either… if you were, you would know, in the big scheme of things, 1 point does not matter… at least not the kinds that was made such a big deal about because it wasn’t a break point or a game point. Henin was just a better player.
Henin had the most beautiful game of all the active WTA players. She was good on all the surfaces and was an all court player. I don’t think there is any other player who can boast of such a talent.
benjamin | May 20, 2008 | Reply
kj, are you Serena has moved on???? After 3 losses in last year’s quarterfinals, I’m pretty sure that old would still stung pretty bad.
kj | May 21, 2008 | Reply
LOL… good point Benjamin, but i will let Serena have the benefit of doubt this time…
Nothing can change the fact that Justine Henin was truly am amzing and graceful player for her size for this generation. Gosh, i will miss watching her delightful game. She will always remain as a legendary player in the circle of tennis purists… and that is the best compliment and tribute that can be paid to her.
Rick | May 22, 2008 | Reply
I think Justine is an amazing person. Her personal problems and family history? - it’s part of her character, and if she wasn’t the incredible tennis player that could use the pain from her life to bring such beauty on court I can’t imagine anyone tennis player that could. Sure Roger is great, but would he able to handle all the pain, death and family tragedy that Justine lived. She put that aside, and I believe her stoic personality was to based on never asking for pity or - in a way forgiveness. She was brave, most 18 year olds’ would’ve gone to drugs, vice, self mutilation or suicide to handle the things Justine has gone on. It’s a wonder that she has matured, and even gotten this far. To be #1 too.
Thank you Justine. She wasn’t a quitter!