After months of soul-searching, Justine Henin announced yesterday that she plans to return to tennis next season.
Now that Henin is back in the picture, at least five women need to think about what Henin’s imminent return could mean to their futures at the top of the sport.
Serena Williams
While some may think Serena Williams is invincible enough to avoid worrying about Justine Henin, the cold facts say something different. The petite Belgian was a major source of irritation in Serena’s side. Were it not for Justine, it is easy to say that the eleven-time major champion’s Grand Slam haul might have been significantly larger by now.
During Henin’s 2007 season, she personally derailed the S-train during the quarterfinals at three of the four majors. Can Henin regain her old form that allowed her to play her game, regardless of the power coming off the Williams racquet? I would venture that it is highly probable. Serena’s game has not changed since Henin left, and after all, sixteen months is not long enough for Henin to have lost her signature style, especially that lethal one-handed backhand.
Kim Clijsters
I would love to know what it is going through the mind of Kim Clijsters right now. Of course, if I were Clijsters, I would take that new US Open trophy off the mantel, give it a big kiss, and thank God that I had a chance to win at least another major before Henin returned.
No woman in tennis gave Clijsters more grief than her compatriot, and I doubt she is relishing the prospect of playing Henin again on a regular basis. On the plus side, if the two can set aside their former differences, Belgium could once again be a major force in Fed Cup next season.
Dinara Safina
Henin might have cited her official comeback reason being that her competitive fire was reignited, but we all know that the current open state of the WTA Tour played a significant part in her decision. There is no way that a wily competitor like Henin would have returned if she thought that she could not compete toe-to-toe with the best players in the world.
Henin was never shy about saying how much the number one ranking meant to her, which means that now Dinara Safina has an even broader target on her back. Serena Williams might talk big about being the real number one, but she is never willing to put in the extra calendar weeks to make it actually happen. Do not look for Henin to make a partial return—she sounds serious (she plans to play through the 2012 Olympics) and I think we will see her contending at most of the big tournaments, not just the majors.
Jelena Jankovic
The Serbian drama queen will be more than excused if she decides go out and drown her sorrows in one of her favorite foods, a big juicy steak. Jankovic never made it a secret about how much she wanted to avoid Henin in a draw, even attributing one title win in 2007 to the fact that Justine was absent.
With a ridiculous 0-9 losing record against Henin, Jankovic’s one hope is to meet up with Justine in Australia before she gets too confident. If so, Jelena might finally notch that long-awaited win over her biggest nemesis.
Maria Sharapova
Unlike JJ or Clijsters, Henin did not do as much to fluster Sharapova’s game. She even outfoxed Henin in the final of the US Open in 2006, which was not an easy feat. However, the Sharapova then is not the Sharapova we see now.
There is no use denying it—Maria Sharapova’s career is in trouble. Her shoulder injury was a far bigger deal than first admitted, and during the US Open, she went out to Melanie Oudin after hitting a record-setting twenty-one double faults. For Sharapova, Henin’s return only helps to reinforce the fact that unless something changes quickly, the game is swiftly going to pass her by.
You overrate Henin to no end. Although it’s the entire tennis world, not just 5, who should be losing sleep over her return
If Justine comes back in the form of 2007, she certainly can climb back on top on the Number 1 and win more slams. I wouldn’t be surprise if she just wants to win Wimbledon to end her career on a very high note. If she wins Wimbledon, she would be the only woman since Steffi Graf to win all four Slams and the Gold medal at the Olympics. Only Wimbledon is missing, she already won Aussie, French, US, Olympic Gold, and Year-End Championships.
Serena has yet to win the Gold medal at the Olympics for Singles.
@RD_Tennistalk – Only had time to list 5 but I’m sure the list could go on! Overated? Maybe, but JH is the last player to truly dominate.
IMO two rightly on the list to be worried are Jankovic & Sharapova.
Serena doesn’t need to be worried unless it’s on clay. People tend to forget injuries. She couldn’t do it on a hard court until Serena was injured and it took her 3 sets to do it on grass when Serena was on 1 leg and no backhand and yelling at her coach mid match. She took her out 2,0 before Henin tucked tail and ran.
Maria shouldn’t be worried either unless her shoulder never returns to normal. In that case, Maria needs to worry about everyone.
Jankovic, in my mind is the only one who needs to worry. Her game has fallen off and now she’s dealing with tragedy. Hopefully the WTA will cut down on the illegal coaching because Henin couldn’t play a match without it.
Right on Angel. Just like when Azarenka defeated Serena at Key Biscayne, everyone seemed to “forget” that Serena was injured, but what did that matter? All I’ve been hearing since Sharapova returned is her shoulder, everyone making excuses for her, but that privilege is not afforded to Serena ever. In 2007, the year of Henin’s greatness over Serena, the only match I’m willing to allow is French open. Serena was injured in Wimbledon and still took a set off Henin and didn’t play a tournament until the US open. I’ve only been following tennis since wimbledon last year, but I definitely see a pattern regarding Serena in the tennis world, and it’s quite interesting.
I don’t care how bad the women’s game is right now, Henin is not going to dominate at 27.
I would remove Maria from the list of five, and replace her with Venus Williams.
Maria is only 22 years old, while Henin is 27, so even if Henin’s comeback will be so strong that she is better than Maria next year, Maria is likely to be around for much longer as a Major title-contender.
Maria’s serve is a worry, but she had the shoulder-surgery last year, so I’m confident that she will regain full fitness and fix her serve next year.
The players who most ‘need’ to be worried about Henin’s comeback are those who are around Henin’s age or older, and are still Major title-contenders: the Williams-sisters, Kim Clijsters and Elena Dementieva.
But why do they ‘need’ to worry? Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
Oh come on,
2007 was probably one of the worst year for Serena.
If she played like she normally does Henin just got 3 games on the board. (Serena lost concentration in those games)
Nothing to worry about!
It’s just how Serena is playing.
Sorry, but you’re talking about a businessgirl: Serena Jamaica Williams.
Justine is a cheater, we don’t need her!
(French Open, never forget!!)
Few people have a winning record against Henin in majors.
Venus Williams does. Venus is 3-1 against Henin. Of course the past is not an accurate predicator of future events.
Really, I was thinking that those who should be concerned are those that didn’t capitalize on the absence(s) (plural). When Henin and Clijsters both retired and Mauresmo dropped off the radar (well, there’s a name I hadn’t heard in a while) and also Sharapova began to sit out due to injury, I expected more out of Ivanovic. Yes, of course players are young and I’m not writing anybody off but these past 2years seemed like a golden opportunity for Ivanovic.
Dinara Safina, may not get alot of credit, but, honestly, I think she has played her heart out. Safina kind of backed her way into the #1 spot and people expected her to fill a void in the tennis world that, in hindsight, was much greater than the role Safina was developmentally prepared to tackle. That, and the pressure that was put upon Safina, made her exit at the US Open (and Clijster’s return) seem almost fairytale-like.
Again, the past is not an accurate predicator of future events, but Henin’s return (and Clijster’s) may push more than a few titles further from the reach of Safina and Ivanovic.
Parting thought: As most here are aware, Henin hasn’t won Wimbledon. So, completing a career Grand Slam would certainly give Henin her own fairytale moment. Look for a major push in late June 2010 from the woman, Billie Jean King calls, “pound for pound.. the best tennis player of her generation “
JJelena Jankovic now have a chence to bit Henine. Jelena now play better tennis than 2 years ago.Gooooo JJ
Tom Perrotta thinks Kim is going to dominate Justine, and I think he could be right. It appears to be Kim who has figured out her fitness problem, and now she has a big dose of confidence to go with it. If she truly has found a way to prevent those big injuries, then she has advantages over Justine. I also think that the psychological barrier has been removed.
I don’t think that Venus is a particular threat to Justine at this time, either.
I disagree with Tom Perrotta’s article (on TENNIS.com) – particularly with the lie that Henin’s confidence is easily shaken.
Henin is one of the strongest players mentally that I’ve ever known, and although she only leads Clijsters 12:10 head to head, I still think Henin’s victories over Clijsters in their three Major finals carry a great psychological weight.
Will Justine be the same player, maybe, maybe not. Only time will tell.
If everyone is healthy and playing at their best for 2010, then maybe Justine shoudl be the one who is worried.
i think she is a great player but did I miss her, not really.
Bring it on, Justine! She’s my fav. Have really missed her.
Hi Aaress!!
That said I disagree with the current state of the WTA being a factor. True Henin probably would not return if she felt she couldn’t win big. However, she was winning big before. If she hadn’t been #1 when she retired I’d agree that it was a factor. As it is, I think it is just as she said – she was burnt-out and had injuries and now she’s feeling the fire to compete again
Oh yeah and I also think that Sharapova’s career is just fine. Her shoulder has recovered well her DFs being due to her learning a new service motion while in competition (only 7 today- in 3 sets)Her movement back up the rankings has been stellar.
Aaress, don’t tell me your giving in to that oft-seen media malaise of over-reaction
Hey Pov!
Glad to have you back at OTB!
No, I don’t think I’m overreacting about Maria. Sharapova’s serve is easily the most significant part of her game, and if that doesn’t go well for her in a match, nothing else does either.
The last year and a half hasn’t been kind to Maria, but she does still have time to turn things around. I’m not ready to write her off yet, so let’s see how well she does by Wimbledon.
Aaress,
Have you been watching Sharapova’s matches? Having to rely on other parts of her game has been nothing but good for her and has improved her overall game significantly. As for her service – integrating a new service motion takes time. In fact, that she has been doing as well as she has while doing that is pretty impressive.
And recent stats,
Yesterday: 3 sets, 7 DFs, 1st(63%in/72%won)
Today: 2 sets, 1(ONE!!)DF, 1st(71%in/87% won)
No one else on tour has recently shown service stats that approach what Sharapova did today.
Oh yeah BTW that was 6-0, 6-1 against Stosur. lol
The most significant part of Maria Sharapova’s game is actually not her serve, but her competitive spirit and iron will. She got to the semi-finals of the French Open 2007 without serving properly.
But it’s only when her serve is fully functioning that she wins Majors.
Andrew,
I agree that Sharapova’s spirit is part of it. However, no one gets to the top 10 without a healthy degree of that spirit. And as for the serve having to be on, I think that is also true for any top player. look what happened to Federer when he was DFing against Del Potro.
Pov, I haven’t seen Maria play yet in Tokyo, but I do agree—-it’s forcing her to develop other elements of her game, which is always a good thing.
And that win over Stosur isn’t anything to sneeze at. Sam’s a crafty singles player and not many players can get away with losing just one game to her.
You don’t get to be in the top ten without being a great competitor, but Maria is an exceptional competitor even by world-number-one standards.
And when Maria won each of her three Majors so far, her serve was the best in women’s tennis.
Svetlana should be on this list above Maria and Jelena. Losing to Justine in multiple slam finals.
dinara safina has a big chance to defeat justine henin.We all know that safina is very good player and she was currently the number one plater in the world. And every one has a chance to win a game like tennis. So every individual should strive hard to meet his or her goal in life like winnig a game.thank you.
Take a look at Maria now and think that Henin has a chance with her. She spanked Henin then and can do it now.
Sitting here, reading the comments that most of you tennis “EXPERTS” are posting, not only makes me question your sanity but it also makes me question your overall understanding of the game of tennis.
First of all, no womens tennis player is undefeated. They’ve all lost at some point to someone. Nobody’s perfect, the current state of the WTA rankings have obviously proven that to be true.
Secondly, those of you who don’t know, Justine Henin is by FAR the most gifted/talented/well-rounded athlete in womens tennis today. She really is the female equivalent to Rodger Federer.
Helen Keller could see this to be true, so why can’t all of you pro-serena/venus JH haters?
So back to the main article at hand. The woman who needs to worry about Justine’s return the most is herself. We already know Justine can beat any woman on the tour. Even all the women on the tour know that Justine can beat them.
So the question is will she be ready both physically and mentally for her return to the tour. Regardless, It’ll still be great to see the REAL #1 female tennis player in the world return to her rightful spot.
Allez Justine!!!
-The Mosquito
Juan C. Ferrero: right on!!!
I think all the wta players are looking forward to the challenge she will bring to the tennis court… she’s like a once-in-a-blue-moon kind of tennis player isn’t she…
Justine can and most probably dominate the field. I think her return is a real blow for big-mouthed Serena and many others. I think Serena should be scared as days of easily won majors are over when playing against a tough opponent as Clijsters shown us at the last major. I think Henin will be some kind of “barometer” of quality of their game. It’s ridiculous people try so hard to ignore her fantastic intelligent game because of one mistake (of both her and Serena) which occured years ago. Justine is the best, she is a brilliant tactician who can keep her head and does not rely on screams and heavy strokes. I hope she will put them all in their place (behing her).
The “mistake” being the French Open 2003 hand-incident, I take it?
Yes Aaress, the hand thing which surely cost Serena the match as it had a weigh of…erm a fifteen. In fact, the hand incident is Serena’s fault just as much as Justine’s, if she saw the hand up WHY did she serve anyway??? Great deal of sportsmanship on Serena’s side, indeed…
Sorry, correction: the last post was for Andrew B.
Also comparing Safina and Justine is completely beyond me. It’s just not the same league…
Marine, your championing of Justine Henin is hurting my eyes and ears. I don’t imagine how you can make Justine seem great when you sound like such a bitter person, just sprouting insults against a player you obviously do not like. As much as you are wishing Justine will come back and prove her greatness is as much as I am wishing that Serena and every other player will smack her off the court, Let’s see whose wish comes true next year, eh?
The comments here are hilarious. The main doomsayers of Henin are Williams fans. Funny how they go out of their way to discredit the Belgian.
Fact #1 – That backhand of Henin’s is and always will be one of the wonders of modern tennis. This at least gives her a free points in a set.
Fact #2 – What does 2003 and a gamesmenship against Williams at the French Open have to do with Henin’s character in 2010? This girl looks to have matured quite alot, and so have rivals such as Sharapova and Kim, while others stayed the same or even regressed.
Fact #3 – The game needs Henin more than it needs baseline hit or miss tennis, and more cute blonde pushers!
Fact #4 – All the WTA players need to worry about Henin if they understand the dynamics of the game. 2009′s reputation or results won’t mean a thing once on court in 2010. Tennis only rewards the “now” scores.
Chidi, ehm, if I am bitter person you are one too: “…I am wishing that Serena and every other player will smack her off the court”.
I don’t care if my championing of Justine is hurting your eyes. In my eyes Justine is the best out there. Think whatever you like.
I will think whatever I like, Callais, thank you very much! And I believe I was talking to Marine, or are you posing as both? either case, you can share in the love too, I didn’t ask you to care either. You can always champion whoever you like but to do it at the expense of a player you don’t like smacks of bitterness, take that however you like.
Hi Chidi, your conspiracy theory sounds cool, so sad I had to disappoint you. The confusion arose because of a simple thing: 2 people sharing one laptop. Unfortunately we’re not so well off to buy 1 each :( And my friend is also really into tennis, too. So no, I’m not posting for both.
But just to make your day: yes,I am posting for everybody who says something critical about Serena. Everybody loves her and hates all other players, but for me. I’m the only one who criticises her and the rest of the world are her proud supporters no matter what.
(IRONIC, BUT JUST TO MAKE U FEEL A BIT BETTER)
And apart from useless arguments with Serena fans, I’d like to add something more to the actual topic.
I think Venus and Dementieva should also be included in the list.
What will be interesting will be interaction with the new generation: Wozniacki, Oudin, Radwanska (A).
And Wickermayer, well, but that shall be in 2011 …:0(
Marine you don’t know the meaning of the word Ironic. However, if you think you are the only one who criticizes Serena while the whole world loves her, sorry to disabuse you of that notion. Nothing you’ve said smacks of originality. It’s the same tired old lines and everyone that’s anti Serena has said the same things over and over again. I’ve only been following tennis for a year and half and I always groan when predictable bloggers like you come out of the woodwork. I also love how your first comments begin with insulting Serena, but when someone calls you on it, you want to add something to the “actual” topic. Maybe you should have begun with that, no? And now, I have finished responding to the likes of you. I’ll let you have the last word, since you’re so tintillating with your words, so be sure to lay it on thick.
Fascinating discussion, folks. Just a reminder, stick to the topic and please respect everyone’s opinion.
If you can’t state your point succinctly without resulting to sarcasm, it’s probably a point not worth making.
Well, as far as I’m concerned I stick to the topic,unfortunately, some seem deeply frustrated I had a cheek to support players other than they do. ..
I share the same view as you, Callais, I had it worse here than U. Much worse…
Ah well, SW fans, we all know…
Nevermind, I’ll react on your post about who should be afraid of Justine.
Basically everyone :0), she’s in it to win it all the time. Juju is a perfectionist who gives it her all all the time. But I think she should slooow down in her “2nd tennis career” because otherwise she’ll wear herself out.
I think you forgot to add Azarenka and Ivanovic to that list of “interesting interactions”! And I would leave out Oudin, she’s not that strong, too young.
belive me i bet she will when the single this time around wha you think at NICK
i dont think serena have any thing to worry about i mean did you guys 4get how serena was all over henin the last time they played henin didn’t score a point in the scond set it was at the sony erricson she won that tournament that year as well in 08 and later that year henin retire but yea serena got all up n that ***