Justine Henin, born on June 1, 1982, in Liège, Belgium, is a former world No. 1 tennis player known for her powerful one-handed backhand and mental toughness.
In this article, you will learn about Justine Henin’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Justine Henin Biography
Personal Details | Information |
---|---|
Full Name | Justine Henin |
Date of Birth | June 1, 1982 |
Place of Birth | Liège, Belgium |
Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.67 m) |
Playing Style | Right-handed (one-handed backhand) |
Turned Pro | 1999 |
Retired | 2011 |
Growing up in a small town near Rochefort, Henin’s passion for tennis began at a young age when her family moved next to a local tennis club.
Henin faced personal challenges early in life, losing her mother when she was just 12 years old.
Early Career
Henin’s tennis journey began at the tender age of 5. Her natural talent quickly became apparent as she progressed through junior competitions.
In 1997, she won the junior girls’ singles title at the French Open, signaling her potential as a future star.
Professional Career
Henin’s professional career was marked by remarkable achievements and a playing style that set her apart from her contemporaries.
Henin’s career was characterized by her intense rivalry with fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters and her battles with the Williams sisters.
In 2008, Henin shocked the tennis world by announcing her retirement while still ranked No. 1 in the world.
Husband
She was married to Pierre-Yves Hardenne from 2002 to 2007, during which time she competed under the name Justine Henin-Hardenne. After their divorce, she reverted to using just Henin.
Currently, Henin is married to Benoît Bertuzzo, with whom she has 2 children.
She has successfully transitioned into family life while maintaining connections to the tennis world through coaching and commentary work.
Justine Henin’s Net Worth Details
Justine Henin’s net worth is estimated to be $14 million as of 2025.
Career Earnings
Year | Total Earnings ($) |
---|---|
2001 | 998,704 |
2002 | 1,213,093 |
2003 | 3,667,430 |
2004 | 1,570,656 |
2005 | 1,705,173 |
2006 | 4,204,810 |
2007 | 5,429,586 |
2008 | 458,470 |
2009 | 0 |
2010 | 1,401,960 |
2011 | 0 |
Career Total | 20,863,335 |
Endorsements
Throughout her career, Henin’s success and marketability attracted several high-profile endorsements, which significantly contributed to her overall earnings.
Some of her major sponsors included:
- Adidas (clothing and shoes)
- Rolex (watches)
- Wilson (tennis racquets)
- Cytec (Belgian chemical company)
- L’Oréal (cosmetics company)
Career Records
Category | Record |
---|---|
Grand Slam Singles Titles | 7 |
WTA Tour Singles Titles | 43 |
Weeks at World No. 1 | 117 |
Year-End No. 1 Rankings | 3 (2003, 2006, 2007) |
Olympic Medals | 1 Gold (Singles, 2004) |
Fed Cup Titles | 1 (2001) |
FAQs
1. Who is Justine Henin?
Justine Henin is a retired Belgian professional tennis player, born on June 1, 1982, in Liège, Belgium. Known for her all-court game and exceptional one-handed backhand, she was one of the top players in women’s tennis during the early 2000s. She won seven Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal.
2. What are Justine Henin’s major achievements in tennis?
Henin won seven Grand Slam singles titles: four French Opens, two US Opens, and one Australian Open. She also claimed the gold medal in singles at the 2004 Athens Olympics and spent a total of 117 weeks as the world No. 1. Additionally, she won 43 WTA titles during her career.
3. Why is Justine Henin’s backhand famous?
Henin’s one-handed backhand is considered one of the best in tennis history, praised for its power, precision, and versatility. Tennis legend John McEnroe described it as “the best single-handed backhand in both the women’s and men’s game,” making it a defining feature of her playing style.
4. When did Justine Henin retire from professional tennis?
Henin first retired on May 14, 2008, while ranked as the world No. 1. She made a comeback in January 2010 but retired permanently in January 2011 due to a chronic elbow injury.
5. How many Grand Slam finals did Justine Henin play?
Henin reached a total of 12 Grand Slam finals, winning seven and losing five. She achieved a perfect record at the French Open finals (4-0) but never won Wimbledon despite reaching its final twice.
6. What is Justine Henin’s role after retiring from tennis?
After retiring, Henin became an entrepreneur, TV consultant, speaker, and mother of two children. She runs her tennis academy and club to mentor young players and founded “Justine For Kids,” an organization supporting sick children and their families.
7. What makes Justine Henin one of the greatest tennis players?
Henin’s mental toughness, exceptional footwork, versatile game, and dominance on clay courts contributed to her reputation as one of the greatest players in history. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2016 and received the Philippe Chatrier Award in 2023.
8. Did Justine Henin win all four Grand Slam tournaments?
No, Henin won three out of four Grand Slam tournaments: the French Open (4 times), US Open (2 times), and Australian Open (once). Wimbledon remained elusive despite reaching its final twice.
9. What was Justine Henin’s relationship with her coach Carlos Rodríguez?
Carlos Rodríguez was Henin’s long-time coach who played a crucial role in her success. Their partnership lasted throughout most of her career, including both her initial retirement and comeback periods. Henin often credited him for shaping her career.
10. What inspired Justine Henin to play tennis?
Henin was inspired by watching matches at the French Open with her mother during childhood. Her family lived near a tennis club where she started playing at a young age. These experiences fueled her passion for the sport and shaped her career path.