QUOTE OF THE DAY: JuJu

I want much more emphasis on human relationships. In my first career, I didn't realise what sport can mean to the people. Now I understand better.

My big problem is that I am basically shy. When the spotlight is on me, I crawl into my shell, instead of showing that I can be funny or fun. I'm trying that now. It's my job.

- Justine Henin on her new approach to tennis

Ah, so JuJu finally realized that sports isn't just about the athlete but it's also ENTERTAINMENT.

I guess we should sit back, relax, and get ourselves ready for some serious Belgian LOLs y'all.

[Photo(s): AP]

(UPDATED) From Juju to Kimmie...with love

Justine Henin, whose own supposed comeback is rumored to be underway, had some nice words for her countrywoman Kim Clijsters after her US Open victory this weekend:

Dear Kim,

Congratulations with your magnificent victory.
Once again, Jada can be very proud of her mama. Your achievement is just fantastic! Warm applause to you and your whole family.

Best regards,
Justine

Nice to see the support between the two Belgian lady ballers. Now hurry up Juju and get yourself back on court!

UPDATE: According to TENNIS.com's The Ticker, the comeback may be announced sooner than later...

According to TV channel RTBF, Justine Henin has placed an order for 14 racquets tailored to her specifications and may announce her comeback in a press conference held as early as this week.

Me thinks we should retire the word "retirement" in tennis. For good.

UPDATE #2: Even Kimmie thinks Juju is making a comeback...

I do think that she's planning something. The way she ended her career seemed strange to me. I do think that she will come back.

Yup, her retirement and the reasons behind it are still very confusing to me, too. I wonder if we'll ever know the real reason.

(Photo: media-2.web.britannica.com)

THE LOW DOWN: Is Juju REALLY considering a comeback?

Here we go again.

Rumors are ramping up again about a possible return to the WTA tour for Justine Henin. Belgian newspaper Vers L'Avenir has received confirmation from her entourage that she has begun training for a series of exhibitions in December and may be considering a comeback to the professional ranks.

Via lalibre.be (Googley translated, of course):

After the exhibition games that will end the year in Belgium (5 and 6 December Spiroudôme Charleroi) and Dubai. Juju had almost made his decision to restart the competition from January" write newspapers.

In his entourage, it confirms that it has resumed training a few months ago, but officially in the context of these exhibition games," they continue. Elke Van Dongen-Rodriguez, wife of Carlos Rodriguez, former coach Justine, conceded his side "for things to prepare, but I'm not allowed to speak.

And she who is also the spokesman of the former tennis champion continued: "She actually started to prepare physically and hit the ball a little more often lately. Officially, to recuperate from his operation, added the newspaper.

A possible return of Justine Henin in the competition in January 2010 will be officially reported by the complainant at least three months before the date of his actual return. This is to meet the rules of the World Anti-Doping Code ratified by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

The Rules of the ITF, in the matter, said that from 1 January 2009 any player / player withdrew, which appeared during his career in the top 50 of ATP or WTA and who intends to return to professional competition, must inform the ITF and provide information on its location ( "Whereabouts") at least three months before his return.

If Justine Henin had to return to the WTA Tour in January, he would then at least know the month of October.

I'm not holding my breath but maybe after seeing Kim Clijster's successful return this month her mouth must be watering. Juju must be thinking, "I could do even better against these headcases."

Stay tuned!

(image via infosports.com)

BREAKING: Henin to announce retirement today according to Belgian newspaper

Is Justine Henin retiring from professional tennis? Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad is reporting the world no. 1 will announce her retirement today. Justine has been struggling of late and I wondered where all the talk of retirement had been coming from - now we know where her mind has been recently.

This news would truly be shocking.

Stay tuned - she is scheduled for a news conference at 10am EST.

UPDATE: Justine announced her official retirement from professional tennis in a news conference in Belgium. She has been considering the decision for the past six months or so, said her agent Ken Meyerson:

She's simply burned out and has no more juice to go on. I was surprised at the urgency of the decision. We, as agents, like long farewells. I'm really sad. She did so much for the game, and we need her in the women's game. Pound-for-pound, she was one of the best tennis players in history. She was an underdog. She was someone we could relate to.

"It's the end of a wonderful adventure but it's something I have been thinking about for a long time," Justine said about her career.

(image via Getty)

Quote of the Day: Serena on Justine

Henin's such a great winner. She can play a lot better. She knows that, and she can take solace in that fact.

- Serena Williams on the world no. 1's struggles this year

For all the talk of ReRe's lack of respect for other ballers, it's good to see her support her once bitter rival.

(image via AP)

Quote of the Day: Justine Henin on Sharapova

“I hadn’t lost in months and that became a weight too. We knew defeat would come one day. (Sharapova) had the knife between her teeth."

- Justine Henin on losing to Maria "Shriek"apova at last month's Aussie Open

Clearly, Papa Yuri's infamous throat-cutting moment wasn't lost on the World No. 1.

(image via AFP/Belga/Virginie Lefour)

Justine Henin becomes a little untied, still takes Sydney for 40th career title

A helping hand: Justine Henin got a little untied during last night's final of the Medibank International in Sydney. The yellow tie on the back of her high-mark adidas skirt became undone, so an elated ballboy gave the World No. 1 a helping hand.

But Justine needed no help in taking her 28th straight match and the Sydney title from Svetlana Kuznetsova, who has now fallen to 2-16 against the mighty Belgian. This win also gave Justine her 40th career title and some great confidence going into the Australian Open.

"This was perfect," said the World No. 1.

(images via AP Photo/Rob Griffith & John Pryke)

FASHION FIX: Justine Henin returns to Oz, sports high-mark adidas gear

Seeking redemption: Justine Henin played her first official match down under today since her controversial retirement in the 2006 Australian Open final. Last year, the World No. 1 skipped the Australian leg of the tour completely to deal with her divorce from Pierre Yves-Hardenne.

The Belgian looked in devastating form, dismissing Estonian qualifier Kaia Kanepi 6-2 6-0 after a walkover in her first match at the Medibank International in Sydney. Afterwards, Justine expressed her feelings about being back saying,

"I left Australia with a strange feeling two years ago and I wasn't here last year, so its a great feeling to be back again, [...] I feel really comfortable about what happened and I have no regrets. I was feeling so bad. I wasn't healthy enough to play that match. It's pretty tough in a Grand Slam when you're not 100 percent to take your chances and take the opportunity. [...] I wanted this title so much so it was tough, but I don't have anything to prove to anyone. I'm here because I love tennis."

Clothing sponsor adidas has hooked up the World No. 1 with the same design we loved on Alicia Molik. Here we can see additional details on the back including the yellow tie at the waist and the side slits on the skirt. Also, the 'hint of border' we mentioned on Alicia's post is, in fact, a full border on the skirt.

We much prefer the white + wine color combo over this bright blue, but the design is still tops.

(images via Ezra Shaw/Getty Images & GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images)

+ WEDNESDAY NETCORDS: Justine, Andy, Lindsay, Billie and Elton...Pete vs. Andre, match-fixing update and more

(image courtesy of J R E Y)

- On top of the world: A huge "congrats!" to World No. 1 Justine Henin for clinching the year-end No. 1 ranking (for the third time in her illustrious career) and winning the United States Sports Academy’s Female Athlete of the Month for September. Plus, she's an astonishing 54-4 this season.

- All bets are off? The tennis gods are gathering in London this Friday to hash out all this match-fixing business. In addition Tennis Diary has reported that players' cell phones may be banned from the locker rooms to avoid inside information from leaking to betters. And, Hall-of-Famer Pam Shriver has some choice words for those prone to betting. Can it be stopped? Stay tuned...

- New chief in town: Arlen Kantarian has been newly named CEO, Professional Tennis for the USTA. What does this mean exactly? As part of his new duties, Arlen will oversee the development of a new USTA elite player development program, focused on identifying and developing the next generation of American champions. He will still lead the USTA's Professional Tennis operations, and serve as the lead executive overseeing the USTA's involvement in the professional sport, including the US Open, US Open Series, USTA Pro Tour events, U.S. Davis Cup, Fed Cup, and Olympic teams, and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

- Music superstar Sir Elton John and long-time friend Billie Jean King will host the 15th annual Advanta WTT Smash Hits, a special night of tennis featuring superstars including Andy Roddick, Lindsay Davenport and Anna Kournikova. The event, which benefits the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the local charity ActionAIDS, will be held in Philadelphia on Oct. 10. Visit Ticketmaster to purchase tickets to this event and to support AIDS research and charities.

- Getting to know: Stefan Koubek

- If it ain't broke...: In the "What were they thinking?" file, the ATP announced it's 2009 schedule to include the new format of giving tournaments ranking points to determine they're importance (1000 = Master Series level, 500 = Tier II). Is that even correct? We're confused just writing about it...oy...

- Think pink: Daily Racquet has been supporting October's Breast Cancer Awareness month by posting on all things pink and tennis. Check it out!

- Wanna know more about the history of the Lacoste brand? Click here.

- Video vault: Reminisce about the good ol' days of tennis with this great, classic Nike commercial featuring legends Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi playing an improptu set of tennis in a New York City intersection.

U.S. Open Series - Road Trip!

No rest for the wicked. With Wimbledon winding down this weekend, the tennis gods have begun their media push for the US Open Series and the final Slam of the year, the US Open. The US Open Series runs for six weeks from July 16 – August 25, 2007 and culminates with the US Open from August 27 -September 9. Buidling on the "Road Trip" theme of the previous years, these clips showcase the players on the bus talking, and laughing up, the Series.

Check out these 2 clips currently promoting the U.S. Open series featuring all your fave tennis players including Roger "Fed Ex" Federer, Maria Shriekapova, Serena "ReRe" Willaims, Rafael "Rafa" Nadal, Justine Henin, Andy "A-Rod" Roddick, Venus "V" Williams, and many more!

PREVIEW: Wimbledon Women's Semifinal Showdowns

The final four Ladies of Wimby are all set for their semifinal showdowns. Here's a preview:

Venus "V" Williams vs. Ana Ivanovic

Head-to-head: Williams, 2-0
Last meeting: Luxembourg '06, Williams 6-3, 6-4

No. 23 seed V put on another sterling performance handling No. 5 seed Sveta Kuznetsova in the quarterfinals 6-3, 6-4. It was V's first win over the powerful Russian in 3 matches this year. No.6 seed Ivanovic won the battle of the "beauty teens" saving 3 match points and outlasting Czech Nikki Vaidisova, the 12th seed (and my darkhorse), 4-6, 6-2, 7-5.

Here's what V said about playing her next opponent:

"[Ivanovic and Vaidisova] are both very good players, a lot of talent, a lot of power, a lot of potential. They both love the game. I think they're both very similar. They both have similar games to me. It will just be a matter of me playing that game a little better."

Here's Ana talking about V:

"It's going to be very tough match. Venus is in a great shape. They played amazingly last couple of matches. It's going to be very tough. But I have experience. I played on Centre Court already. So I just want to go tomorrow and enjoy, try to play the best I can and see who will be better tomorrow."

Outlook: V, a 3-time Wimby champ, has the edge in every category over the Serb, so on paper this is a match she should win. Tracy Austin for MSNBC.com has already given V a passport to the title. But which Venus will show up to play?

Justine Henin vs. Marion Bartoli

Head-to-head: Henin, 2-0
Last meeting: Eastbourne '07, Henin 6-1, 6-3

As the No. 1 seed Justine truly established herself as best in the world and earned another chance at the Venus Rosewater Dish by beating 8-time Slam winner and No. 7 seed Serena "ReRe" Willaims 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. This win was Henin's first over ReRe on a non-clay court - an important win for the fiery Belgian. France's Bartoli, the No. 18 seed, is this year's Wimby Surprise Semifinalist (isn't there always one?) winning her quarterfinal over 18 year old Michaella Krajichek of the Netherlands, the 31st seed, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Here's Justine on her upcoming semifinal:

"Well, still going match after match. I have a semifinal now. Still that's how I build something good, I hope. On Friday it's going to be another tough match. Even if on the paper I'm going to be the favorite, it's going to be another kind of story on the court. So it's still too early to talk about it. It would mean a lot, but still have a lot of work to do."

Here's Bartoli on playing Justine:

"I've been through some big stage already against some big players and in some tough situation, finals of tournaments. I'm not afraid to play against the big players. Not afraid. It's going to be my first time on Centre Court. I'm very happy to be for the first time on Centre Court in Wimbledon. I will really enjoy that moment."

Outlook: Justine, welcome to Wimby final #3. Could the third time be the charm?

Tell me who your picks are for tomorrow's women's semifinals!

(images courtesy of AP Photos)

Part III: Player Quotes from Wimbledon

Q. How do you feel when people say you are the prettiest girl ever to play at Wimbledon?
A. Thank you. I'm very flattered.

Q. You didn't get any Valentine's Day cards at all?
A. Few messages, but no cards. I'm sure they were shy (smiling).

- Ana Ivanovic

Q. What is it you really love about the involvement with horses?
A. I think it's a great creature. It's a beautiful animal. So powerful, gives you so much energy. When you're out on the trails, just really the force of the horse. You're kind of in control sometimes. It's just amazing. I always loved things with speed. That's why I love skiing. I like cars. Horses are a different way. It's a little bit of a risk, too. I know. I try not to go to the limits, push it to the limits, always know where the area of limits are. I mean, of course, you can't always tell. I don't know. You're never alone.

Q. Did you know the Wimbledon champion Maureen Connolly had a serious horseback injury?
A. Yeah, it can happen any time. Other people have car accidents.

- Marty Hingis

Q. Can I ask you about your knickers?
A. Excuse me?

Q. Are you wearing red?
A. Are they? They're supposed to match the dress.

Q. But the dress is white and the knickers are red.
A. There's like a little red outline, and they say red is the color that proves that you're strong and you're confident, so I'm happy with my red knickers.

Q. Did you have any sort of grief from the umpires or any of the authorities sort of saying that they didn't fit with the dress code, or were they okay?
A. No, I think it's totally in the dress code. You didn't like it?

Q. No, I thought they were lovely.
A. Thank you. So let's have compliments then. Such threatening questions right away.

Q. They were lovely and I'd quite like a pair. I was wondering, are you going to keep on wearing them?
A. I think so, as long as I keep on winning.

- Tati Golovin

Q. Is it weird because here your sister is, you're so close to her, but yet she is such a different personality type.
A. I know, it's so weird. We're so close. We have complete opposite personalities almost. I guess it works well. Geminis and Libras are like a perfect match. That's what I credit it to.

Q. Air signs?
A. Yeah, I don't know. Are they both?

Q. Which one are you?
A. I'm a Libra and she's a Gemini.

- ReRe Williams

Q. What do you think about tennis players being on dating shows like Mark Philippoussis? Did you see the show?
A. No, I didn't. But I did TiVo it. I can't wait to go home and watch it. Can you find love on a reality show? I don't know.

Q. Would you be tempted?
A. I don't think I'd be able to find love on a reality show personally 'cause I think I have to get to know someone for years. He's a little older, so he might have more of an idea of what he's looking for.

- ReRe Williams, Pt. II

Q. What do you like about Wimbledon?
A. The strawberries! I eat too many of them! The people are really nice here. I’m not a great fan of England but everyone’s really nice here. There’s a special type of atmosphere here.

Q. Are the fans different here?
A. Yes. In Paris, the public tens to warm to me a lot more and it’s like being at home. I like it here and in Australia as well. The US is the toughest. People seem to turn up to do anything except watch the actual tennis…

- Justine Henin

+ Weekend Winners

Eastbourne - Henin d. Mauresmo 7-5, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (2). Foreshadowing? In a repeat of last year's Wimby final, the Belgian comes out on top this time over her French rival. This is great preperation for Henin to complete the career Grand Slam, beating the Wimby defending champion on arguably her best surface. Now can she pull out a third set tie-break, or even get to one, against ReRe Williams, her potential quarterfinal challenger and greatest rival.

Ordina Open - Ivan "Lubi" Ljubicic beat unseeded Peter Wessels of the Netherlands 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-6 (4), and the third-seeded Anna Chakvetadze beat top-seeded Jelena Jankovic of Serbia 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-3. It was the second title of the year for both Ljubicic and Chakvetadze. Lubi is an enigma but when he's on a hot streak, he can be dangerous. He won't do much of anything at The Big W but it's a nice win for the Croatian veteran. Weird Al loses some steam in the final and loses to up-n-coming Russian Chaka, who made it into the Top 10 this year. Chaka is a bit of an emoticon, having her latest tantrum at last month's French Open, losing easily to Shriekapova. But, this win should give Chaka some confidence go into Wimby and she could, at the very least, live up to her seeding (#8).

Nottingham - "Dr. Ivo" Karolvic d. Arnaud Clement 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. Dr. Ivo is always a dangerous opponent on a grass court for anyone in the draw, so look for him to have a few wins but nothing more this week.

Wimbledon 2007: Women's Contenders

Since Tracy Austin has finally given her picks for the top women contenders for the big W, I'd like to offer my own if I may...

TOP CONTENDERS:

Justine Henin - The Mighty Belgian, fresh off her 4th French Open title, is hungry for the one trophy that would seal her place in the record books with a career Grand Slam. Maybe just as important to Henin, a win at The Big W would put her 1 slam behind archrival Serena "ReRe" Willaims and the bragging rights as best of their generation. Don't think that's not on either of their minds, so let the games begin!

Maria Shriekapova - Oh Shrieka. What has become of your year? You started off 2007 fresh off your title run at the U.S. Open and with the chance to become THE dominant player this year. Then...WIPEOUT at the hands of ReRe Williams in The Aussie Open final. But you had your best showing at Roland Garros (semis) so you must've been feeling good - until you lost the final of the Birmingham on grass to...

Jelena "Weird Al" Jankovic - Weird Al is having a career year. I do hope she breaks through at a Slam this year. I love her game and her personality on the court, though I think she hides her fear of the pressure by showing a super casual attitude (a la Kimmie Clijsters). If she can truly confront the pressure, this could be her Slam to lose.

Serena Williams - No one gives good drama like ReRe. She has proven she can come from nowhere-ville and take out the best in the world. Not much else to say!

DARKHORSE:

Although I would've picked Ana Ivanovic as my dark horse, she just suffered a horrible, out of left field loss to Dani Hantuchova with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-1. My dark horse is now Nicole Vaidisova - she's been struggling of late but she's due for a breakthrough. With her big power game and solid serve, I see her rounding into form and giving the top players the shakes.

+ Netcords

- The seeding for Wimbledon has been set. Keep an ay-yay-yay out for my DOWN THE LINE seed report later in the week...

- Tennis Week reports that The "Sisters Sledge" Venus & Serena Williams will be cracking forehands (hopefully between the lines this time) with special-edition Wilson racquets made with serious bling. Serena will play with a pure black frame and Venus with a pure white version, both featuring real 22 CARAT GOLD leaf laid into the frame.

- Tennis.com's James Martin posted his "What to Watch at Wimbledon" report - I have my sights set on #1, #5 and #7

- Powerhouse Justin Henin has given up her fave late-night snack - Belgian chocolates - for the good of her game, reports The Independent.

+ Weekend Winners

DFS Classic - Jelena "Weird Al" Jankovic d. Maria Shriekapova 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. I think Janko beating Shriekapova, a former Wimbledon winner, on grass is a pretty significant win for the raven-haired Serbian. I'm a big fan of her game, so if she can keep her marbles together at 4-all in the 3rd set of the Wimby semifinals a maiden Grand Slam title is possible. Otherwise the "choke-master" label is not out of the question, with her devastating loss to Justin Henin at the U.S. Open last year (where she was up a set and a break) and her apathetic losses at the Aussie and French Opens this year.

Queen's Club - Andy Roddick d. Nicolas Mahut 4-6, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (2). It's good to see A-Rod fighting to win a title! He's definitely one of the best on grass, so this should be a good confidence booster for him. He's too good not to have added to his first Slam at the U.S. Open (although, to be fair, he's living in the 'Federer Years'.) He joins Lleyton Hewitt, John McEnroe, and Boris "Baby Daddy" Becker as 4-time winners at Queen's Club.

Gerry Weber Open - Tomas Berdych d. Marcos Baghdatis 7-5, 6-4. Too bad for the Baghster, losing on his 22nd birthday. But Tomas is so talented, yet so streaky (and much prettier than his girlfriend Lucie Safarova, actually.) He could do damage at The All-England Club with his power game but one never knows which Tomas will show up. Berdych has the skills to beat anyone on a good day, but those come few and far between for the Czech player.