Henin to announce Tour return Tuesday

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 11:45

Former world No.1 Justine Henin is set to formally announce her return to the WTA Tour in January 2010 tomorrow, according to Belgian press reports.

Ten days after compatriot Kim Clijsters claimed the US Open title just weeks into her own return from retirement, Henin, who stunned the tennis world after becoming the first player to retire while holding the world No.1 ranking, is expected to announce her return tomorrow evening on Belgian television channel RTL–TVI Belgium.

Rumours have circulated that the seven-time grand slam champion could be set to return to action just 19 months after announcing her retirement since last month, when she began practicing for two exhibition matches later this year.

It was later revealed that Henin had ordered 14 customised rackets, as she used to stock during her Tour days.

Belgian daily newspaper Vers L’Avenir then stated on August 26 that Henin had made her decision to resume competitive tennis in January 2010.

And the usually dismissive 27-year-old refused to rule out a comeback when pressed on the issue earlier this month, declaring she had “nothing to say,” and adding that “if there were something to communicate, I will share later.”

Her entourage has continued to deny she is gearing up for a return, but Henin’s timing – she would have to inform the World Anti-Doping Agency three months ahead of a return to professional tennis that she wished to reenter the testing pool – would suggest the rumours are true.

On May 14, 2008, Henin, while world number 1, had announced an end to his career explaining had “given everything and every experience” for nearly ten years of professional circuit. “I lost the hunger, the desire,” she said back then.

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