BRUSSELS – Belgian tennis star Justine Henin was again the country’s media darling on Monday after scooping the women’s title at the French Open.

Henin’s Saturday win gave her a fourth grand slam title and the second at Roland Garros.

News agency Belga reported that just six months ago, Henin was forced to pull out of the Australian Open suffering from a knee injury and the remnants of a viral infection which had heavily weakened her system.

After Saturday’s win, Henin admitted: “It was a very delicate period … I feared for the future of my career. I asked myself if I would one day find my best level again.”

Last week and at the weekend, Henin did refind her best form, beating the world no.2 Maria Sharapova, Russia’s Nadia Petrova and Svetlana Kuznetsova before beating Frenchwoman Mary Pierce in a 6-1, 6-1 final.

“I had prepared myself for a more difficult match,” said Henin.

“I think Mary was a bit stressed by the game … I put her under pressure from the start and she never found her stride.”

Henin said she had slept badly before the game, but felt calm when she walked out on court.

The Belgian has decided to cancel going to the tournament in Eastbourne, so she doesn’t burn herself out, as she has done previously.

“It’s perhaps not ideal to compete at Wimbledon without having previously played in a grass tournament,” admitted Henin.

“But who knows? Perhaps I’ll be successful.”

The London grand slam is the only major tennis tournament which Henin has yet to win.

[Copyright Expatica 2005]

Subject: Belgian news