Justine wants a career Slam

Her return to tennis has come as fast as her departure. Henin rocked the tennis world by suddenly,stunningly walking away in May 2008,becoming the first woman to retire while ranked No 1. Henin said she stopped playing because she needed to realise she could do more than just play tennis. “I retired because I was tired. I’m returning because it’s the passion that I give to what I do again. It’s the fact that I can push my limits,and that I can give people a dream. The relationship with the people — that’s what I missed the most.”

Plenty of time

Henin and her coach,Carlos Rodriguez,said her game is about 60 per cent of what it was,but feel she has plenty of time to train. One thing that Henin said has “nothing to do” with her return is Kim Clijsters. Rodriguez,however,said it gave Henin a reason to believe she can return to top form.

At a practice session on Saturday,she covered the court as well as anyone,and her one-handed backhand — which John McEnroe called the prettiest shot in tennis — didn’t seem to have lost any of its zip. The only thing missing was the roar of the crowd that usually follows her winners and her punctuating scream “Allez!” while pumping her fist. But that will come.