Justine Henin
A Belgian tennis artist with a sublime one-handed backhand who conquered the sport through tactical brilliance and fierce resolve.
Born 1982 (age 44)·Belgian tennis player·Birthday: June 1·Millennials
Biography
Justine Henin emerged from a small town in French-speaking Belgium, a nation with scant tennis tradition, and forged a career of exquisite beauty and grit. Standing just 5'6", she compensated with one of the most technically perfect games ever seen, centered on a majestic, flowing one-handed backhand that became her signature weapon. Her journey was marked by profound personal challenges, including the loss of her mother in childhood, which fueled a relentless, sometimes combustible, competitive fire. She shattered the dominance of the Williams sisters and other powerful baseliners, claiming seven Grand Slam singles titles. Henin reached world No. 1 and held the spot for over 100 weeks, retiring abruptly at the peak of her powers in 2008, only to mount a brief but stirring comeback two years later, proving her love for the battle never faded.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Justine was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Justine Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Justine's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won seven Grand Slam singles titles, including four French Open victories on her favored clay.
- Secured the singles gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.
- Achieved the WTA world No. 1 ranking and held it for a total of 117 non-consecutive weeks.
- Led Belgium to its first-ever Fed Cup title in 2001, defeating Russia in the final.
- Won the season-ending WTA Tour Championships twice, in 2006 and 2007.
Did You Know?
She founded the 'Justine Henin Academy' in Belgium, a tennis training center for young players.
Her childhood coach was the renowned Belgian tennis figure Carlos Rodriguez, who worked with her for most of her career.
She is one of only three women in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam title after saving match points in the final, doing so at the 2005 French Open.
She announced her first retirement in May 2008, while still ranked world No. 1.
“I don't think you can win a Grand Slam just by being a good tennis player. You have to be a good person, too.”
