Justine Henin announced live via Belgian television today that she will be returning to professional tennis in 2010.
I followed the live chat on Le Soir, and picked up some quotes. I did my best to translate the quotes they put up:
“I’ll return to tour very quickly. I’m very excited.”
“It’s amazing, it’s true. There was a long personal journey. I’m refocused. More mature.”
“My inner voice was tickling me, and I took a little time to talk to (coach) Carlos Rodriguez.”
“My goal is to return in January in Australia, but I do not know what tournament”
That last one is a little confusing – I’d say she isn’t yet confirming her definite participation in the Australian Open. But to return to the Magic 8 Ball, all signs point to “yes.”
Le Soir does the 8 Ball thing:
To meet the rules of the World Anti-Doping Code ratified by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), every player who appeared in the top 50 world rankings and who wishes to resume his career must inform the Federation at least three months before his return. Justine Henin will begin again as early as January. She should attend the Australian Open (from 18 to 31 January) that she had won the tournament in 2004 … against Kim Clijsters.
I’m sure there will be more available soon*, along with some clarifications. The good news is: JuJu’s BACK!
*Here are some new quotes via the BBC (thanks Lorrie, for the article!):
“I’m really happy and deeply moved to be able to announce tonight that I’m coming back to competitive tennis.”
“These past 15 months have been enriching but there is a flame that has been re-lit. I thought it had been put out forever.”
Her old coach Carlos Rodriguez will be back in the player’s box, with the ultimate goal of winning Wimbledon (wonder what Venus and Serena think about that?):
“She has entrusted me (to be her coach) once again and I will try to never let her down.”
“I’m very happy to be helping her to restart her new life. It’s a super challenge for her. The desire to win Wimbledon is one of the main reasons she’s come back and I’ll do everything to help her do it.”
The BBC also says that Justine will play the Australian Open.
Loading ...Tags: Henin, Henin comeback, tennis, WTA
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yes!!! so exciting!! now i get a chance to watch her play in person!!!
I'm so excited! Tennis hasn't been the same since she left
Very good news for fans of women's tennis! In my opinion, the only reason she did not say positively that she is playing in the Australian Open is that she has lost her ranking and therefore needs a wild-card invitation to be in the main draw. She obviously wants to play there – otherwise there would be no reason for her to start her comeback in Australia in January, but would make more sense to wait for the beginning of the clay court season in Europe. She may still change her mind and decide to do that, but it is clear that at the moment she wants to play the AO after warming up in one or two smaller events down under.
Good point, MarK. I was wondering about the wild card situation. The BBC has also said that Justine will play the Australian. . .
yes! no doubt kim inspired her, she's motivated and excited to return and justine sees that she could definitely compete with the ladies on tour. i would love to see her back in australia! she had the most complete game and she was always so fun to watch. i was so sad when she left, at such a young age. she could totally win a slam in 2010. why not? i think she has 7 on her resume and she was always super fit. if mama kim can do it, why not her countrywoman? once a GS champ, you know how to get the job done! yay!
thank goodness, i''m so happy. you can bet she's been watching all those meltdowns and service yips and ground strokes from 10ft. behind the baseline. must have given her alot of confidence. can't wait to see her play. hope for womens tennis. thanks FF for ur translation efforts.
Wow. I guess she just needed a break from tennis. Either way the WTA just got more interesting.
Yes, more interesting. I'm not a fan, but things are definitely going to be more interesting.
thanks for the updates. makes sense she's going for wimby. she already has 4 FO, 1 AO, 2 USO and was a two time wimby finalist. she also has a gold medal. this would complete her resume. i saw her play live when she was in her last USO in '07, where she beat serena in the quarters and venus in the semis. the semi match was fantastic, super competitive. can't wait for the WTA season next year!
Women's tennis just got a whole lot more interesting! This is great news! Can't wait to see her play again.
Great news! With both Justine and Kim back-this time next year the Williams sisters will be Belgian waffles!
Justine is back to business !
[youtube ldZ_X-078YU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldZ_X-078YU youtube]
She should just stayed retired like she announced. Must missed the money and all the attention. Tennis got another boring personality back.
^ Suck it, haters.
ANYWAY:
Great news! I suspect the Brisbane International and the Sydney Medibank Open organisers are suddenly working over time this week
Not sure if she should play the Aus Open, it'll only be her second or third tournament back, not including the exhos. But then again, that's exactly how Kim Clijsters did it too. I'm still thinking she should take up a small tournament before the end of the year. But then –
I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING! Someone wake me up!
Great news for women's tennis that she's back, with both her and Clijsters back it sould make the competition much better. and I'm not even a huge Henin fan.
Great news for women's tennis that she's back, with both her and Clijsters back it should make the competition much better. and I'm not even a huge Henin fan.