As Justine Henin and HER team embark on a second career, they approach competition with a mature twist: an emphasis on effort, not results.

When Justine Henin realized that she wanted to return to the pro circuit, she made it clear
to her long-time coach and mentor, Carlos Rodriguez, that she wouldn’t do it alone.
“She told me that the only way she could go back on the tour would be if I joined her,”
says Rodriguez. “I never imagined that Justine would say it’s time to come back. I was really surprised, I promise you. It was very strange.”

Justine’s competitive fire started burning after watching Roger Federer win the title at Roland Garros last year. The French Open victory was his first in Paris, a feat that completed a Grand Slam. Henin’s situation is similar to Federers, but it’s a Wimbledon title that’s missing from her resume. Her main purpose for returning to competition, she says, is to win in England. When she informed Carlos of her desire he reacted with mixed emotions.

“I was excited in the beginning, but when the excitement wore off I saw all of the work that had to be done and the sacrifices I would have to make to go back on tour. It would entail finding life-balance again with my wife and children.”

Henin convinced Rodriguez that she had renewed motivation and that returning to competition would be worth his time.

“I told her that I don’t have a problem committing one-hundred percent as a coach if she’s willing to commit one-hundred percent as a tennis player. I didn’t want us to only give fifty percent. We had to do it right.”

Rodriguez is making adjustments to Justine’s style and teaching a different approach to the game. Although Henin was ranked No. 1 in the world when she retired in May 2008, he says that the field of top ten women is stronger today than two years ago. He wants Justine, 27, to preserve her body by keeping points shorter, so he’s instructing her to play aggressively and dictate the offense. After 14 years as Justine’s coach, Rodriguez says she trusts his vision.

“I try things she’d never imagine, difficult situations that aren’t easy and that require adaptations. We keep things fresh by finding ways to evolve as a player, a coach, and as a team. We’re always growing and looking to do things differently and to continue to enjoy the process.”

Rodriguez’s role as a coach has changed dramatically to include teaching Justine lessons that she can use off of the court, too. He says it’s not known how long they will tour this time around, but that he will cultivate Justine’s growth as a player and as a person for the duration.

Building Blocks
After Rodriguez committed to coach Henin, the duo worked to assemble a team. To help prepare Justine for competition, they turned to one of their favorite hitting partners: Florida-based, high performance teaching pro, DeVante Lindsey. Henin’s desire to return to competition caught Rodriguez offguard but Lindsey, on the other hand, says Justine’s comback was inevitable.

“I think Justine can reclaim the No. 1 ranking and add to her collection of Slams. I’m excited to help her reach her goals in any way that I can.”

Henin, Rodriguez and Lindsey recently reunited at the Sixth Sense Tennis Academy, located at Mission Inn Resort and Club near Orlando, Florida. Lindsey and Henin exchanged ground strokes while Rodriguez stood courtside and provided Henin with instruction between points. Lindsey says that a typical day as Henin’s hitting partner included two hours of general drills in the morning, two hours of point-oriented drills in the afternoon, and an occasional practice set to end the day.

“Our matches are usually close, but I tend to come out on the winning side. I think Justine may have won twice in the four years we’ve worked together. But this is what they want – they want tough practice matches. If Justine were beating me all of the time then I’d start to worry that I’m not doing my job.”

Henin stands nearly 5 feet 6 inches and weighs 130 pounds, four inches shorter and ten pounds lighter than the average top ten ranked WTA player. Employing Lindsey provides Henin realistic match play – he’s 6 feet one inch, weighs 180 pounds, and offers a variety of serves up to 120 miles per hour. Lindsey says that one element Henin is working to polish is her open stance forehand. He says if she were to refine that stroke it would help her battle the tour goliaths.

“Modern tennis has a great emphasis on power. If Justine can improve her open stance forehand she’ll generate more power and pace to her strokes and be a greater threat on tour. Justine is a perfectionist – she’ll put in the work to get the desired results,” says Lindsey.

Justine’s team is committed to training and preparing the former world No. 1 for a rewarding comeback. Their ultimate victory is a win at Wimbledon, but however important the title, Rodriguez says competition is unpredictable, so he puts greater emphasis on Henin’s effort rather than her results.

“I can’t predict the future to know what’s going to happen or how well she’ll do,” says Rodriguez, “but I will tell you that her effort and determination will be extraordinary. I expect something special from Justine.”   - Teresa Thompson