Justine Henin has six Grand Slam titles, $15,000,000 and is the
undisputed queen of Roland Garros.
But now she also has what she once thought would be impossible,
a happy family.
When the 25-year-old celebrated her 6-1, 6-2 win over Serbia's
Ana Ivanovic, which sealed her third French Open title, she turned
to the players' box and dedicated her win to elder brothers David
and Thomas as well as younger sister, Sarah.
It was a scene unimaginable 12 months ago when she had defeated
Svetlana Kuznetsova in the final.
Henin was still married to Pierre-Yves Hardenne and in the
middle of a bitter cold war with her family.
She had been estranged from them and father Jose since the age
of 17, the latest miserable chapter in a series of family tragedies
which had seen sister Florence killed in a car accident and the
death from cancer of her mother, Francoise when Henin was just
12.
But Henin is now divorced from Pierre-Yves, back with her
siblings and talking to her father again, a relationship rekindled
three months ago.
"I want to keep it private how that happened. But my brothers
and sister were here today and my father watched me on TV," said
the champion.
"We talk to each other every day. Not everything is easy but
it's great."
Henin admitted it was an emotional aftermath to the final when
she took the microphone and paid tribute to her family in front of
20,000 people on Court Philippe Chatrier and millions watching
worldwide.
"That was my heart talking. What's past is past. I just want to
move forward and enjoy every moment of my life with them back in it
now.
"I was so glad to give them this victory because everyone has
suffered a lot from this situation and finally we are united in
this joy."
Henin also gave generous praise to her Argentinian coach of 11
years Carlos Rodriguez.
She said the 43-year-old had been instrumental not only in her
win here but also in the thawing of relations with her family.
"When I told Carlos that I was in touch with my family again he
wanted me to win a Grand Slam and offer it to them," she said.
"He helped me so much. It's 11 years and that's pretty unique.
Not many people can do it. We have got closer and closer in the
last few months."
It was Rodriguez who insisted that she take a batch of tactical
notes onto court with her on Saturday tucked away in a series of
brown envelopes which she eagerly ripped open in the
changeovers.
She also opened one after victory was sealed but she wasn't
giving away the details.
"That one I'm going to keep for me. It's just Carlos and
me."
(China Daily via AFP June 11, 2007)