Justine Henin-Hardenne
Justine Henin-Hardenne (born June 1, 1982) is a successful tennis player from the Wallonia (francophone) region of Belgium. She was born in Liège.
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Family life
Her official name was Justine Henin before her marriage with Pierre-Yves Hardenne on November 16 in chateau de Lavaux-Sainte-Anne, 2002. They live in Wépion, Belgium, when not on tour.
Her late mother, Françoise Rosière, was a French and History teacher. She died of intestinal cancer when Justine was only 12. Justine has two sisters : Sarah and Florence (deceased) and one brother : David. Her father is José Henin.
Tennis career
She started her professional tennis career in 1999, and established herself as a major competitor in 2001, has been coached by Carlos Rodriguez since she was 14, regularly reaching late rounds of international competitions. On June 7, 2003 she won her first Grand Slam tournament, the French Open, defeating her Flemish compatriot Kim Clijsters. On September 7, 2003 she won her second Grand Slam tournament, the US Open, once again against Kim Clijsters. She reached the final after defeating Jennifer Capriati in the semi-finals a mere 18 hours after a terrific 3 hour and 3 minute match.
On October 19, 2003 she achieved the number one ranking on the WTA list, taking over from Kim Clijsters. She was named the International Tennis Federation's women's singles World Champion for 2003.
She has been training for 2004 in Florida with strength and conditioning coach Pat Etcheberry, who in the past has been the fitness guru for other world-class players like Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Jim Courier and Jennifer Capriati.
On January 31, 2004 Justine won her third Grand Slam at the Australian Open. During the final, she once again defeated her compatriot Kim Clijsters, displaying more and more confidence on the court and assuming her number one ranking on the WTA list.
On May 20, 2004, she was seeded 1st for the French Open 2004, the Grand Slam tournament she won the year before. However, still plagued by a viral infection contracted a few months ago, she lost her second round match against Tathiana Garbin, than ranked 86th player on the WTA list. Justine subsequently decided to withdraw from the upcoming Rosmalen and Wimbledon 2004 tournaments. However, she came back in August 2004 on the court to win the gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, defeating Amélie Mauresmo in two sets.
Titles
- 1999 > Antwerp (Belgium)
- 2001 > Gold Coast (Australia, Outdoor Hard), Canberra (Australia, Outdoor Hardcourt), Rosmalen (Netherlands, grass)
- 2002 > Berlin (Germany, clay), Linz (Austria, Indoor Hard)
- 2003 > Dubai (United Arab Emirates, Outdoor Hardcourt), Charleston (USA, green clay), Berlin (Germany, clay), French Open (France/Paris, clay), San Diego (USA, Outdoor Hardcourt), Toronto (Canada, Outdoor Hardcourt), US Open (USA/Flushing Meadows, Outdoor Hardcourt), Zurich (Switzerland, Indoor Hardcourt)
- 2004 > Sydney (Australia, Outdoor Hardcourt), Australian Open (Australia/Melbourne, Outdoor Hardcourt), Dubai (United Arab Emirates, Outdoor Hardcourt), Indian Wells (USA, Outdoor Hardcourt), Olympic games (Greece/Athens)
See also
External links
- Fan page (http://www.justine-henin.net/)
- Official website (http://www.henin-hardenne.be/)
- Justine Henin-Hardenne Online (http://www.justinehenin.tk/)
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