Tennis: Henin Back in the Rudest of Health

All athletes, however grudgingly, accept that injury is all too often an integral part of their sport, and they learn how to cope. But illness is an entirely different matter. Last year, after winning the Australian Open, her third grand slam title, Justine Henin-Hardenne was on top of the tennis world, only to be suddenly stricken with a pernicious virus which drained all energy from her body.

"There were days when I could not get out of bed," she admits. "There was nothing I could do but be patient, but there were months of pain and depression which were hard to accept."

Against most advice, and ignoring both the physical and mental constraints of her illness which had left her a wraith of her former self, she attempted to defend the French Open title and was knocked out in the second round. "The clay is my favourite part of the year so it was very hard for me."

Now, just less than a year later, the diminutive Belgian with the booming backhand will enter Roland Garros on Monday as the nominal favourite having won all her 17 matches on American and European clay this year while extending her singles titles to 22 with wins in Charleston, Warsaw and Berlin.

"Coping with the virus was the toughest part of my career. At first, when I could not play or practise, I told myself that it was good to be at home for a change after the constant travelling. But then you start to get frustrated and, above all, I missed what I love so much."

Extraordinarily, having lost so early at Roland Garros last year and then having pulled out of Wimbledon, Henin thrust herself into the heat of Athens and won the Olympic singles gold medal, defeating France's Amélie Mauresmo in the final.

But all thoughts that the virus had disappeared were soon dispelled. At the US Open, hot on the heels of the Olympics, her physical and mental stamina again dipped sharply and another title defence ended in frustration. "I just never felt free in my head."

Henin played no more tennis in 2004. By now she knew it was essential that she must not push herself beyond reasonable limits, and by the beginning of this year she was starting to feel more like her old self. Then, as she prepared for the Australian Open, she picked up a knee injury which again put her career back on hold, although this further period of enforced rest was, arguably, a blessing in disguise.

On her comeback in the Nasdaq-100 in Key Biscayne in March she was beaten in the quarter-finals by Maria Sharapova, but that remains her only defeat this year and she has beaten the Russian world No2 on clay since then. "I have found my game again and showed that I am back," said Henin, who will be 23 on the second Wednesday of the French Open.

The Belgian is the nearest the women's game has to a Roger Federer, albeit a pocket-sized version. Only Mauresmo, among the top women, has a single-handed backhand to compare with that of Henin - a stroke which brings grace, balance and variety to a world dominated by double-fisted baseline sluggers. And the ability to hit the shot with either top-spin or slice allows greater flexibility in coming to the net.

The one uncertainty still surrounding Henin and the possibility of her winning a second French Open title is her stamina. "If she plays like she has been doing on clay this year then she will win everything against everybody everywhere," says Switzerland's Patty Schnyder, the world No10. "She is favourite for Roland Garros."

Henin, though, is understandably cautious, given the vicissitudes of this year and last. "I didn't know exactly what to expect when I came back on the tour, or how I was going to react. I've played a lot of tennis over the last few weeks and to win three tournaments back to back has been great for my confidence. But as for winning the title again at Roland Garros, I know it will be quite different."

Those who love the French way of life, love Paris and love clay find Roland Garros the greatest of all the slams. It is a surface which rewards patience and boldness in equal measure, and it is this inter-relationship between defence and attack which Henin knows she must get right so as not to be drawn into countless extended rallies. "That's what I have to be focused on."

Those who have played her this year have all remarked on how overtly aggressive she has been from the opening point. It is not a habit which makes her particularly popular in the locker room, but then champions have rarely relied on being popular.

2005

Singles titles: 3

Prize money: $529,000 (£288,000)

Win-loss record: 20-1

Grand slam victories

2003

United States Open

beat Kim Clijsters 7-5 6-1

French Open

beat Clijsters 6-0 6-4

2004

Australian Open

beat Clijsters 6-3 4-6 6-3