Just a year and a half ago, Justine Henin ruled the WTA tennis tour, and many were calling her the best women's player of our generation. It seemed like no one could stop the diminutive but powerful Henin.
Having sat atop the world rankings for a couple of years, Henin surprised many tennis fans when she retired at the very young age of just 25 years old in 2008. Many wondered why she would call it quits when she was at the top of her game.
While all appeared to be going well on the outside, Henin was mentally exhausted. She was sick of the two decades that she had devoted entirely tennis, and needed to get away from the sport.
She decided to devote her time to charity work and a school that trained younger children in the world of tennis.
Even though she was gone, people still regularly spoke of Henin. Every tournament left fans wondering if she would have won had she still been playing. Fans no longer have to wonder though. After announcing her return last fall, the former top ranked player is back on the women's tour now.
Before her first match, fans of the sport had doubted her abilities, thinking that either age or rust would have gotten the best of her by now. This would be a natural expectations, as most athletes initially stumble on the comeback trail.
Well, if her recent play is any sort of indication, all possibilities should be on the table at this point. With a first round straight sets win at the Brisbane International tournament against second seeded Nadia Petrova, she looked very much like her old self.
After seeing Kim Clijsters' triumphant return to the sport after her US Open win last year, nothing should be considered unrealistic for Justine Henin.
Having sat atop the world rankings for a couple of years, Henin surprised many tennis fans when she retired at the very young age of just 25 years old in 2008. Many wondered why she would call it quits when she was at the top of her game.
While all appeared to be going well on the outside, Henin was mentally exhausted. She was sick of the two decades that she had devoted entirely tennis, and needed to get away from the sport.
She decided to devote her time to charity work and a school that trained younger children in the world of tennis.
Even though she was gone, people still regularly spoke of Henin. Every tournament left fans wondering if she would have won had she still been playing. Fans no longer have to wonder though. After announcing her return last fall, the former top ranked player is back on the women's tour now.
Before her first match, fans of the sport had doubted her abilities, thinking that either age or rust would have gotten the best of her by now. This would be a natural expectations, as most athletes initially stumble on the comeback trail.
Well, if her recent play is any sort of indication, all possibilities should be on the table at this point. With a first round straight sets win at the Brisbane International tournament against second seeded Nadia Petrova, she looked very much like her old self.
After seeing Kim Clijsters' triumphant return to the sport after her US Open win last year, nothing should be considered unrealistic for Justine Henin.
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