Henin raring to go

Players Under the Microscope / Editor / 06 February 2007 / Leave a Comment

Justin Henin has revealed her desire to get back on court helped overcome the heartache of her marriage break-up.

The Belgian star made the final of all four Grand Slams last year, winning the French Open for the third time in her illustrious career, but pulled out of the 2007 Australian Open in January with personal problems.

It emerged that her marriage was on the rocks and the 24-year-old has now revealed that she will be divorcing Pierre-Yves Hardenne, whom she married in November 2002.

The talented right-hander has remained tight-lipped about her personal life and it was unclear when she intended to return to the tennis circuit.

But the five-time Grand Slam winner will make her comeback at the Paris Open this week with a second-round clash with France's Emilie Loit and is hoping that the focus can be on her play rather than her off-court problems.

"I have had very painful times and today I want to speak about tennis," she said. "I want these things to remain my little secret."

Henin admitted that she had originally planned to return at the Dubai championships but confessed that watching the Australian Open had persuaded her to bring forward her return to the tour.

"It was during the Australian Open," she added. "I had been working hard and I told myself I would not be able to wait until the Dubai championships later in the month.

"It is because I love tennis so much. I just could not stay away from the courts any longer."

Despite her absence from the sport, Henin, who has now reverted to her maiden name, is Betfair's favourite at 3 to win her comeback tournament in the French capital, with Amerlie Mauresmo on offer at 3.65.

Svetlana Kuznetsova trades at 11.5, with Nicole Vaidisova at 9 and Nadia Petrova available at 12.