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Henin back where she belongs

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Jonathan Overend | 20:15 UK time, Tuesday, 25 May 2010

When Justine Henin announced her retirement on 14 May, 2008, I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

The defence of her French Open title was just a few weeks away, followed by a better-than-ever chance of winning a first Wimbledon, and then the incentive of another Olympic gold medal in Beijing - all stated ambitions.

Completely out of the blue, all that was over.

She became the first player to quit as a reigning world number one. It was nothing short of incredible.

henin595.jpg
But when Henin announced her comeback on 22 September, 2009, I wasn't remotely surprised.

I had ended our 5live Wimbledon coverage two months earlier by mentioning Henin as a possible contender in 2010, despite the fact she was deep in retirement at the time. As others laughed with incredulity, I remember Jana Novotna - the former Wimbledon champion - nodding in agreement, perhaps knowingly.

And so the sight of Henin in her deep pink outfit, commanding Court Philippe Chatrier at Roland Garros on a warm Tuesday morning, was a welcome one. A familiar one. The familiar stripes, sleeves and cap. The familiar plucks, twitches and, of course, the recognisable "allez!" after particularly pleasing strokes.

Soon after her victory over Tsvetana Pironkova, Henin charmed the press room with thoughtful answers to some nostalgic questions.

In the first part of her career the Belgian often came across as cold and detached. I sense her life experience away from tennis has given her greater warmth, a greater appreciation of her own existence.

If that off-court demeanour has changed, her clay-court game certainly hasn't. Why should it? The last time she lost at Roland Garros was in 2004 to Tathiana Garbin, and the last time she dropped a set was in the fourth round in 2005 to Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Can she win a fifth Roland Garros title on her comeback? If she does, then suddenly we have a fascinating tournament to look forward to at Wimbledon - the title she now says she desires more than any other.

Also on Wednesday, I enjoyed watching Gianni Mina on his French Open debut. The 18-year-old wildcard gave Rafa Nadal a big workout, even though the scoreline suggested otherwise, and he appears to have a huge future.

For someone who had only played one previous match at tour level (and that only last week) he admirably stood toe-to-toe with Nadal, defending magnificently and driving winners.

I also thought it worth noting that, at 655 in the world, he is the 52nd-highest ranked player in France. What incredible strength in depth they have. France boasts 11 men in the ATP top 100 and 19 in the top 200. Their 28 men inside the world's top 300 compares with only three from Britain.

Comments

  • Comment number 1.

    It is a joy to see Henin back.

    The womens game has become a little flat and with so many pretenders for the crown too. The Williams's sisters are a bit up and donw, despite their current ranking. Which gives you an indication of the form of the others.

    If she hits those mental highs and physical strengths very quickly, then i can't see anyone beating her...and the Williams' must be very worried.

    She is poetry in motion.

  • Comment number 2.

    Seeing as almost everyone else on the women's tour is a one-dimensional robot, watching Justine play is a breath of fresh air.

    The women's game is getting more and more unpopular (the attendances for women's matches at the French have been abysmal) and unless there are a bunch of 16 year old Justine Henins coming through, i can't see how things will improve.

  • Comment number 3.

    i don't think serena or venus will be overly worried by Henin dismissing with ease someone vastly inferior to her. Henin has not had the greatest form since her comeback and the williams sisters could beat her before anyway.

 

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