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Friday September 25, 2009

Only the top spot will do for comeback kid Henin

LIMELETTE (Belgium): Former world number one Justine Henin vowed on Wednesday to return to the top of women’s tennis after deciding to come out of self-imposed retirement.

“Today I’m aware that there is more than just tennis,” the seven-time Grand Slam winner said at her tennis school here in central Belgium.

“But tennis is what I do best. I’m 27 and still physically capable.

Justine Henin

“Now the hard work starts. I’m going to have to get back the confidence and go through stages which I’d forgotten about.” Henin said.

“Time is on my side. But it’ll be a long road.

“I like a real challenge. Ambition is part of me, I need to live something exceptional, to feel the adrenalin. It’s part of me.”

On her comeback trail, Henin again will clash with fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters, who won the US Open earlier this month only three tournaments into her comeback.

“It is a source of inspiration and motivation. I have come to realise that I would not have been this strong if she had not been there at the time,” Henin said of their rivalry that stretches back a dozen years.

Clijsters hailed as “fantastic” the return to the circuit of a fellow Belgian and great rival.

Clijsters triumphed at Flushing Meadows earlier this month after an 18-month break to have a baby while Henin announced her return on Tuesday after more than a year off.

“Justine worked very hard in the past to get magnificent results in her first career,” Clijsters said on her website.

“For tennis it’s fantastic to see her come back. It’s very good for women’s tennis and very good for Belgium.”

Henin wants to play at least until the 2012 London Olympics when she will be 30. By then, she hopes to have won Wimbledon — the only Grand Slam title missing on her resume. — Agencies

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