Cette Fois C'est Vraiment Fini! Au revoir, Justine!

When she first burst into the tennis scene, la petite Justine took the world by storm. With her exceptional one-hand backhand and her fierce determination, Henin quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with on the WTA tour. Her breakthrough year was 2001 when she made it into the semifinals of  the French Open and the final of Wimbledon. From then on, she kept improving her game and in 2003 she became the best player in the world, as well as Belgium's first Grand Slam champion by conquering Roland Garros. After a series of physical problems, Justine came out stronger than ever in 2007. After opting to miss the first part of the year to recover from her divorce from husband Pierre-Yves Hardenne, Justine won practically everything. She beat Ivanovic to capture Roland Garros, Kuznetsova to win her second US Open title and Sharapova to secure the Season's Ending Championships. The latter battle was, in my opinion, one of the most entertaining disputes of all time. Both gave their all, with Justine finding that little extra something, that  edge to ensure she came out on top. I think it also marked the beginning of the end for her. She even mentioned that when announcing her first retirement in 2008. She felt she was nearing perfection. Her level was so high, that it didn't leave much room for improvement. She felt tired and her tank was emptied. Thus she took what she thought was her only choice. She quit. The world was in shock. How could the  undisputed best player in the world just forfeit tennis? Her reasons were hard to understand, but she kept true to her inner belief and stayed away from the sport. At least until 2009. After witnessing her main rival, Kim Clijsters, come out of retirement and win the US Open, the fire was relighten. Once again she had something to prove. She came back in 2010 but fell short of emulating her compatriot's success by losing the Australian Open final to Serena Williams. It's interesting to notice Clijsters having the upper hand in the second part of their rivalry as she has won all their three matches. In the last one, at Wimbledon, Henin injured her elbow so badly that she had to miss the rest of the season. She announced a comeback in January for the Australian Open, but her attempt was cut short, when losing to Kuznetsova in the third round. Apparently her elbow failed to recover and her efforts Down Under took their toll. After consulting it with her doctors, the Belgian champion was forced to retire for a second and final time. Once again it came as an enormous shock to everyone. Now though, Henin was really affected by the circumstances. She clearly had other plans going forward. She mentioned playing until the Olympic Games in London were she might have joined forces with Kim in the doubles. Furthermore, the elusive Wimbledon trophy seemed to permanently follow her. Since returning to the tour, she's made of that her top priority. Unfortunately, as compared to 2008, this decision was not deliberate, but imposed. Her frail body succumbed eventually, so there was nothing that could be done. For me, this marks the undoubtable end of her prolific career.

At 1.67m tall, the small Belgian persona and grit proved larger than life. Her accomplishments ensured her a place among the greatest tennis players in history. She was utterly dominant on clay, her favourite surface, winning Roland Garros four times. Consequently she will always be remembered as the 'Queen of Clay'. For me, she was one of the most exciting player to watch. A really determined champion, who at the top of her game was beyond anyone's reach. Her reigning period (i.e. Roland Garros 2007 to Australian Open 2008) was probably the most dominant era in women's tennis. During this time lag, she lost just once (surprisingly to Marion Bartoli in the semis of Wimbledon) and it can be argued that in this period she was closer to perfection than any other player I've known. Justine will definitely be missed. However,  her life surely doesn't end here. Allez!

A look back at Justine's golden career

@ Wimbledon 2001: Justine announced herself to the world by reaching her maiden Grand Slam final. Her dream run was ended by defending champion, American Venus Williams.

@ Roland Garros 2003: Henin became the first Belgian to win a Grand Slam defeating compatriot Kim Clijsters 6-0,6-4 in the final.

@ US Open 2003: Henin continued her dominance over her compatriot, defeating Kim Clijsters once more 7-5,6-1 to conquer her second Grand Slam crown.

@ Melbourne 2004: In a tight final, Justine once more got the better of Clijsters, beating her 6-3,4-6,6-3. 

@ 2004 Athens Olympic Games: Justine won gold for her country, disposing of Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo in the final act.

@ Roland Garros 2005: Justine returned to her winning ways in Paris, collecting her second French Open trophy with a routine 6-1,6-1 victory over rejuvenated Mary Pierce in the final.

@ Roland Garros 2006: The Belgian successfully defended her Suzanne Lenglen crown, beating Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4,6-4 in the final.

@ Wimbledon 2006: Justine lost her second Wimbledon final, this time after a rather surprising 6-2,3-6,4-6 loss to Amelie Mauresmo.

@ WTA Masters Cup: Henin gained revenge on Mauresmo, beating the Frenchwoman 6-4,6-3 to claim the Season's Ending Championships.

@ Roland Garros 2007: Justine collected her last French Open title, rooting Serbian Ana Ivanovic 6-1,6-2 in the final.

@ US Open 2007: in a period of utter dominance, Henin added another Grand Slam to her resume, defeating Svetlana Kuznetsova in the Flushing Meadows final.

@ WTA Masters Cup: Henin's last big trophy came at the end of 2007 when she overcome Maria Sharapova in a high-quality match to successfully retain her Season's Ending crown.

@ Australian Open 2010: Justine came out of retirement and made it all the way to the Australian Open final where she lost 4-6,6-3,2-6 to American Serena Williams.

photos: GETTY IMAGES