Hey, let’s dive into Justine Henin, the Belgian tennis legend who dominated the court with her killer one-handed backhand and mental toughness. She’s still inspiring players through her academy in 2026, even years after retiring.
Justine Henin’s Biography
| Detail | Info |
| Full Name | Justine Henin |
| Nickname | Juju |
| Born | June 1, 1982, Liège, Belgium |
| Age | 43 years |
| College | N/A |
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Height | 1.67 m (5 ft 5¾ in) |
| Turned Pro | January 1, 1999 |
| Net Worth | $14 million |
| Salary | N/A (retired; past career earnings $20.86M prize money) |
| Spouse | Benoît Bertuzzo |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Instagram Profile | @justineheninn |
Early Career
Justine Henin started tennis at age 2 next to her local club in Rochefort, Belgium. Coached by Carlos Rodríguez from 14, she exploded in juniors, winning the 1997 French Open girls’ singles as a wildcard and grabbing five ITF titles by 1998.
She turned pro on January 1, 1999, shocking everyone by winning her WTA debut at the Belgian Open in Antwerp as a wildcard—only the fifth player ever to do that. By 2000, she took the Liège Challenger in her hometown, hitting top-50 rankings fast.
Professional Career
Henin’s pro run was pure dominance, especially on clay. In 2003, she skyrocketed to No. 1, snagging her first French Open by beating Serena Williams in a controversial semi and Kim Clijsters in the final, then adding the US Open. She won the Aussie Open in 2004 plus Olympic gold in Athens over Amélie Mauresmo. Health hiccups hit—cytomegalovirus in 2004, kneecap fracture in 2005—but she bounced back for three straight French Opens (2005-07).
2007 was her peak: 10 titles, including French and US Opens, WTA Finals over Sharapova, $5.7M prize money, and a 63-4 record at 94% win rate. She retired abruptly as No. 1 in 2008 citing burnout, came back in 2010 for an Aussie Open final loss to Serena and ‘s-Hertogenbosch title, but elbow issues forced final retirement in 2011. Seven Slams total (4 French, 2 US, 1 Aussie), 43 WTA singles titles, 117 weeks at No. 1, Hall of Fame 2016. Her all-court game, footwork, and backhand—called the best ever by John McEnroe—set her apart in a power era.
Husband
Justine is happily married to Benoît Bertuzzo, a Belgian film director and actor, since a secret ceremony in March 2015—they’d been together since 2011. They have two kids: daughter Lalie, born March 20, 2013, and son Victor in early 2017. She was previously married to Pierre-Yves Hardenne from 2002-2007, competing as Henin-Hardenne then.
Justine Henin’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Justine Henin’s net worth sits around $14 million, steady from her playing days. She banked $20,863,335 in career WTA prize money—top 20 all-time for women—peaking at over $5 million in 2007 alone. Endorsements, her academy, and commentary gigs like France TV’s Roland Garros keep it solid post-retirement.
Prize Money
| Grand Slam Tournament | Years Won | Number of Titles | Estimated Total Prize Money |
| French Open (Roland Garros) | 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 | 4 | $5.2 Million |
| US Open | 2003, 2007 | 2 | $3.1 Million |
| Australian Open | 2004 | 1 | $1.4 Million |
| Wimbledon | Never Won | 0 | $0 |
| Olympic Gold (2004) | 2004 | 1 (Athens) | $0.5 Million |
| WTA Masters/Tour Championships | 2003, 2006, 2007 | 3 | $4.8 Million |
| Other WTA Tournaments (37 titles) | Throughout career | 37 | $4.9 Million |
| CAREER TOTAL | 1999-2011 | 43 WTA + 7 GS | $20,863,335 |
Endorsements
- Rolex – Primary luxury watch sponsor (partnership since 2001, ongoing through 2026)
- Nike – Athletic apparel and footwear partnership throughout peak playing years
- Wilson – Exclusive racket and equipment supplier during most of professional career
- Berlei – Women’s sportswear and undergarment sponsor in European markets
- France Television – Post-retirement partnership as analyst and presenter for Roland-Garros coverage (2015-present)
- Justine Henin Academy – Personal brand representing premium training facility and development programs in Limelette, Belgium
Career Records
| Achievement | Record / Detail |
| Grand Slam Singles Titles | 7 (4 French Open, 2 US Open, 1 Australian Open) |
| WTA Tour Singles Titles | 43 |
| Weeks at World No. 1 | 117 weeks (7th all-time) |
| Year-End No. 1 Rankings | 3 times (2003, 2006, 2007) |
| Career Win-Loss Record | 525 wins – 115 losses (82.03% win rate) |
| French Open Specific | 35-7 record; 4 titles including 3 consecutive (2005-2007) |
| US Open Specific | 28-4 record in Grand Slam; 2 titles |
| Olympic Medals | 1 Gold (Women’s Singles, 2004 Athens) |
| Fed Cup Participation | Belgian winner (2001) |
| vs. Serena Williams | 6-8 head-to-head (4-3 in Grand Slams) |
| vs. Venus Williams | 3-7 head-to-head record |
| vs. Kim Clijsters | Defeated Clijsters in 2003 French Open final 6-0, 6-4 |
| Longest Winning Streak | 25 consecutive matches (2007) |
| First Belgian Grand Slam Winner | Historic achievement (June 7, 2003) |
FAQs
1. How many Grand Slam titles did Justine Henin win?
Justine Henin won seven Grand Slam singles titles: four at the French Open (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007), two at the US Open (2003, 2007), and one at the Australian Open (2004). She reached a total of 12 Grand Slam finals, winning seven and losing five.
2. When was Justine Henin born and where is she from?
Justine Henin was born on June 1, 1982, in Belgium. She is a Belgian professional tennis player who, along with Kim Clijsters, helped establish Belgium as a leading force in women’s tennis. Her mother, Françoise Rosière, was a French and history teacher who passed away when Justine was 12 years old.
3. What was Justine Henin’s highest world ranking?
Justine Henin’s highest world ranking was World No. 1, which she first achieved on October 20, 2003. She spent a total of 117 weeks ranked as World No. 1 and finished the year ranked No. 1 in 2003, 2006, and 2007.
4. What is unique about Justine Henin’s playing style?
Justine Henin is renowned for her one-handed backhand, which is considered one of the best in tennis history. Her playing style featured a powerful serve, exceptional net play, and a distinctive one-handed backhand with a high off-elbow that generated significant spin and topspin. She was an aggressive player with great consistency and determination.
5. Why did Justine Henin retire suddenly in 2008?
Justine Henin announced her immediate retirement from professional tennis on May 14, 2008, while ranked World No. 1. She cited fatigue, nagging injuries, and the emotional toll of living in a bubble while chasing titles. She was just two weeks away from defending her French Open title when she retired. She felt no sadness about the retirement, saying it was a release from a game she had focused on for twenty years.
6. Did Justine Henin ever win Wimbledon?
No, Justine Henin never won Wimbledon. Wimbledon was the only Grand Slam title that escaped her grasp. She reached the Wimbledon final twice (in 2001 and 2006) but lost both times. This remained her greatest unfulfilled goal during her career.
7. Did Justine Henin make a comeback, and what happened?
Yes, Justine Henin returned to professional tennis in 2010, approximately 20 months after her first retirement. She returned to competitive play hoping to win Wimbledon and complete her Grand Slam collection. However, during Wimbledon 2010, she fell and partially tore a ligament in her right elbow while playing against Kim Clijsters. She was forced to retire a second time on January 26, 2011, due to the chronic elbow injury.
8. How many WTA titles did Justine Henin win in total?
Justine Henin won 43 WTA Tour singles titles throughout her career, including 10 WTA Tour Tier I/Premier Mandatory titles. She compiled a career win-loss record of 525-115 (82% win rate) and earned nearly $21 million in prize money. She also won two WTA Tour Championships (2006 and 2007) and an Olympic gold medal at the 2004 Athens Games.
9. Who was Justine Henin’s coach throughout her career?
Justine Henin’s coach was Carlos Rodríguez, an Argentine tennis coach who worked with her for approximately 16 years, starting when she was just 14 years old. Rodriguez became not only her coach but also a significant father figure following her mother’s death. He remained her coach throughout her comeback attempt and is currently the sporting director at the Justine Henin Academy.
10. What humanitarian work has Justine Henin been involved in after retirement?
Justine Henin became a UNICEF goodwill ambassador and focused on vaccination campaigns for children in developing countries including the Congo, Cambodia, and Denmark. She also founded the Justine Henin Foundation to encourage sporting activity among sick and disabled children. Additionally, she created her own charity called “Les Vingt Coeurs de Justine” (The 20 Hearts of Justine) to provide financial assistance to families and grant wishes to children with cancer. In 2016, she became the first Belgian tennis player inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.