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To understand something of the state of the women's game--indifference, injuries, overall malaise--take a look at your last three Open champions and where they are now: 2005: Kim Clijsters. Retired in 2007 at age 23 2006: Maria Sharapova. Injured. 2007: Justine Henin. Retired in 2008 at age 25 It was a trend we documented two years ago, and it still seems to be in a... READ MORE»
Justine Henin has been known as a great player with an unpredictable mind. If her nerves stayed in check she could beat anybody. But it's that 'if' that has prevented tennis pundits from calling her the unquestionable number one player in the world. If Serena or Venus are on their game, if Sharapova has her serve, then well ... Henin can't stand up to that. Tonight, Justine Henin made those reservations seem a little... READ MORE»
After a divorce so messy that it caused her to withdraw from the Australian Open, Justine Henin-Hardenne returned to the 2007 tennis season with a new attitude and a new name: Justine Henin. Her triumph tonight was a coronation of her redemption and her personal struggle back to the top. In a post-match ceremony on center court she was congratulated by Dick Enberg, the CBS announcer and stadium MC, who then introduced her as... READ MORE»
After her stellar straight-sets semifinal victory, a reporter told Justine Henin that Venus Williams said she wasn't feeling 100 percent today. "I'm surprised," interrupted Henin, in a deadpan voice. This evening, Justine Henin become the first player since Martina Hingis at the 2001 Australian Open to beat both Williams sisters in one Grand Slam. ... READ MORE»
What's wrong with Venus Williams? "I just was feeling dizzy, a little sick to the stomach," she said. "Was just having some energy problems. I'm not really sure what's wrong with me." Neither does anyone else. After making 56 unforced errors in her agonizingly close quarterfinal match with Jelena Jankovic, Venus made 35 this afternoon—compared to 26 winners—in a straight-sets loss to Justine Henin. Williams said she's been feeling strange—dizzy, tired, depleted—since she got... READ MORE»
I tried it once, and nothing terrible happened. So here, for our second attempt at live-blogging the Open, I'll be presenting a running account of the women's semifinal between Venus Williams and Justine Henin at Arthur Ashe. If you feel like taking part in the coverage, chime in in the comments section or get me on AIM at ‘Jets20012.’ 4:14: If Venus and Justine have a rally that lasts more than 10 seconds this sellout... READ MORE»
As Jelena Jankovic was picking up some final things at Arthur Ashe Stadium yesterday after her loss to Venus Williams in the quarterfinals, I asked her if Venus needed to pick up her level of play to beat Justine Henin later today, especially since she made 56 unforced errors in their... READ MORE»
A week ago today, Anna Chakvetadze won in straight sets in a little-noticed second-round match. She won a little bit after 12pm on a backcourt at a time when the majority of the gallery crowd was still in transit. Afterwards, there was such little interest in the media in talking to her that her post-match press conference was conducted in a player’s lounge area—not an interview room—with two bloggers. “There were more interesting matches... READ MORE»
My friend Goldburn took issue with me calling last night’s loss one of Serena’s worst. Goldburn: I don't think it was one of the worst losses of her careerme: if you consider henin is (1) a rival and (2) serena unraveled against that rival and lost to her for a 3rd time in a GS this year and (3) you don't put up a fight -- that’s pretty devastating. (More, if you can bear it,... READ MORE»
Before the last night's match, Justine Henin's coach Carlos Rodriguez said he wanted Henin pressuring Serena. She did, and it worked: In the match, Henin converted 11 for 14 net chances. “If I'm too far from my baseline, if I don't move forward, I have no chance to win this kind of match,” said Henin last night. ... READ MORE»
Moments after one of the worst losses of her career, Serena Williams walked into the women’s locker room sobbing. When she met with the press 20 minutes later she was still teary-eyed. And she did not want to talk about her match. “I really don't feel like talking about it, to be honest,” she said. “It's like I don't want to get fined. That's the only reason I came. I can't afford to pay the fines... READ MORE»
In anticipation of tonight’s fantastically wonderful match-up of Serena Williams and Justine Henin, I’m trying something new: live-blogging from Arthur Ashe Stadium. Instant analysis! If you feel like being a part of this bold venture, chime in in the comments section or get me on AIM at ‘Jets20012.’ 8:16: One minute from the first serve and the seats here are barely filled since it took so long to kick people from the day session out.... READ MORE»
Justine Henin came off the practice court at 5, some two hours before her much-awaited rematch against Serena Williams tonight. I caught up with Carlos Rodriguez, her coach, and asked him about the match. “We come here to play these type of matches,” he said. “It’s exciting and it’s difficult. It's my job to help Justine to do her best in these type of situations.” How’d she look in practice? “She looked good but practice and... READ MORE»
Before the Open began, Serena Williams discussed how eager she was to take on Justine Henin, who she’s lost to at both the French Open and Wimbledon this year:... READ MORE»
Is Serena Williams secretly injured? After her match against Marion Bartoli, she was asked if anything was affecting her physically: “I would be the last person to tell you just in case Justine or Safina reads it, and they're like, ‘Oh, I know what to do.’” Then her father, Richard, had this to say to me two days ago: “I think Serena can beat anyone when she’s well. Serena’s really not well. I know she’s not... READ MORE»
