Justine Henin on winning the 2004 Australian Open, life after tennis, following the sport and more

Justine Henin was Australian Open champion 16 years ago and as she sat down to reflect on her career ahead of this year’s event, the memories came flooding back for the 37-year-old Belgian star.
What is your favourite moment from the Australian Open?
Winning the tournament in 2004 was more than a dream. It meant I won three Grand Slams in a few months, I was 21 years old now and it was something really fantastic. You are so far from your family and communication was not the same as it is today, so you felt a little bit further with the jetlag and everything. But this was such an emotional moment for me. One of the top five of my career, for sure.
And your worst defeat in Melbourne?
When I lost to Amelie Mauresmo in the final in 2006. I was really sick with my stomach and I could not play. It was a tough moment in my career.
Looking back to 2004 and your victory in Melbourne. What does it take to win?
It is always tough to win a Grand Slam. A few months before I won in Australia, I won my first in Roland Garros and then I confirmed winning the US Open. Then I won in Melbourne and it was always a place I loved to visit. So I am very excited to go back now, especially because I have this distance a little bit also from tennis.
Are you a fan of Australia?
Of course. It’s the winter in Europe when we play there and the weather is always great. You go to Australia and they love sports, they have this culture so it is just a fantastic atmosphere over there. I can’t wait to go back because I didn’t go back for a long time and looking back it was a really special place for me.
‘I think she can do it,’ says Justine Henin as she backs Serena Williams to equal Grand Slam record
Do you still follow tennis?
I am really into it because of the commentating, because of my Academy, I am involved with my Academy every day working with the young players and I hope maybe part of the next generation, who knows? On another hand, I really have distanced in my emotions and I can look at the game differently with no pressure. I have to say that it is fantastic also to be away from that and really to enjoy the game so it is going to be great to go back.
What do you miss most about being a professional tennis player and competing at the top?
I don’t even know if I am missing a lot of things today because you know when you get that feeling that you did everything you could. For the time that you had to do that and it’s time for something else, but it ends. It is a life with a lot of adrenaline so it can be something maybe that we can miss but also it means there is less pressure at the same time and I like to live with a little less pressure now, for sure. I also miss the travelling also because I love to move, I love to be in contact with a lot of people.
What is your life like now as a mother of two children?
My life is much more stable today and I got used to that. I love watching the game today with that emotional distance. I think what I take from that experience in the game is for the moments that I really loved the most which are these moments that you question yourself all the time – how can I be better, how can I push myself? I really loved it when I got into a difficult situation on court and still when I watch this kind of moments, these tight moments, that you don’t know what’s going to happen, it’s something I love to watch.
Follow Kevin Palmer on Twitter @RealKevinPalmer
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter @T365Official.
Latest
-
News
John McEnroe and Tim Henman in feisty exchange over Wimbledon’s Russia ban
Former world No 1 John McEnroe challenged…
-
French Open
Battling Emma Raducanu finds words to sum up her first French Open win
Emma Raducanu narrowly avoided a taste of her own medicine after coming from a set down.
-
French Open
Menacing Novak Djokovic sends out powerful warning at French Open
Djokovic beat Japan’s Nishioka 6-3 6-1 6-0 in a one-sided first night match of the tournament.
-
French Open
Rafael Nadal claims 299th Grand Slam match win at Roland Garros
Rafael Nadal dominated his French Open first round match against Jordan Thompson.
-
Tennis News
John McEnroe reveals how Iga Swiatek and Serena Williams are alike
Will Iga Swiatek become the sixth women to claim ten or more Grand Slams in the open era?
-
Wimbledon
Naomi Osaka considers skipping pointless Wimbledon
The former world number one says she is ‘leaning more towards not playing’.
-
French Open
French Open: Iga Swiatek extends streak to 29, Naomi Osaka bows out
World No 1 Iga Swiatek is looking forward to some sightseeing after dispatching Lesia Tsurenko in short order.
-
French Open
Goran Ivanisevic insists Novak Djokovic isn’t Roland Garros favourite
Goran Ivanisevic says as long as Rafael Nadal is in the French Open field there can be no other favourite.
-
French Open
French Open: Dominic Thiem feels ‘pretty far away from a win’ after exit
The former world number three, a finalist at Roland Garros in 2018 and 2019, bowed out in straight sets.
-
French Open
Carlos Alcaraz proves French Open title credentials with dominant first-round victory
Carlos Alcaraz powers into the second round at Roland Garros.