Born: 1982
Biography:
Justine Henin CMW (French pronunciation: [ystin n]; born 1 June 1982) is a Belgian former world No. 1 tennis player. She spent a total of 117 weeks as the world No. 1 and was the year-end No. 1 in 2003, 2006, and 2007. Henin, coming from a country with limited success in tennis, helped establish Belgium as a leading force in women’s tennis alongside Kim Clijsters and led the country to its first Fed Cup crown in 2001. She was known for her all-court style of play and for being one of the few female players to use a single-handed backhand.
Justine Henin won seven Grand Slam singles titles, cementing her status as one of the greatest female tennis players of all time. She triumphed at the French Open in 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2007, the US Open in 2003 and 2007, and the Australian Open in 2004. At Wimbledon, she reached the final in 2001 and 2006, showcasing her skills on all surfaces. In addition to her Grand Slam success, Henin also won a gold medal in the women’s singles at the 2004 Olympic Games.
An exceptional athlete, Justine Henin possessed a complete and varied game that allowed her to excel on any court. Tennis experts attribute her success to her mental toughness, footspeed, footwork, and, notably, her one-handed backhand. John McEnroe even described it as the best single-handed backhand in both the women’s or men’s game. Her ability to mix power with finesse, along with her never-give-up attitude, made her a formidable opponent.
Henin’s success extended beyond the Grand Slam events. She claimed victory at the year-ending WTA Tour Championships in 2006 and 2007, showcasing her consistency and dominance on the tour. Henin tallied a total of 43 WTA singles titles throughout her career, further solidifying her place among the sport’s greats.
Unfortunately, Henin’s career was plagued by injuries, ultimately leading to her retirement from professional tennis in 2011. A chronic elbow injury forced her to make the tough decision to step away from the game she loved. Despite her premature departure, Henin’s impact on women’s tennis cannot be overstated. Her skill, determination, and unwavering drive inspired a generation of young players, both in Belgium and around the world.
Henin’s contributions to women’s tennis were recognized when she was named one of the 30 Legends of Women’s Tennis: Past, Present and Future by Time magazine in 2011. Her induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2016 further cemented her status as one of the sport’s greats. Henin became the first Belgian tennis player to receive this honor, solidifying her place in both Belgian and tennis history.
Awards:
– Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion
– Year-end No. 1 in 2003, 2006, and 2007
– Gold medal in women’s singles at the 2004 Olympic Games
– Winner of the year-ending WTA Tour Championships in 2006 and 2007
– Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2016