Justine Henin and Marat Safin will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame later this year. Todd Martin made the announcement that the Belgian and Russian will be entering the Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. Henin and Safin were two of the three nominees along with Helena Sukova. Yvon Petra and Margaret Scriven were nominated posthumously in the master player category.
A Look Back At Justine Henin’s Career
In a time where power dominated the women’s game, Henin used her speed, variety, and one-handed backhand to help her become one of the most successful women in the tour. The former world number one won 43 WTA titles and won over 20 million dollars. Henin was one of the greatest clay court champions in recent history. She won 13 of her 43 titles on clay, which includes four French Open titles.
In total, she won seven Grand Slam titles, winning the US Open twice and the Australian Open once. She missed out on a career Grand Slam, having been a runner-up at Wimbledon twice in 2001 and 2006. The Belgian won the Olympic gold medal back at the Athens Games in 2004 and won the btwice in 2006 and 2007.
A Look Back At Marat Safin’s Career
The fiery Russian was one of Russia’s finest tennis players. Going pro in an era where Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi dominated and continued to compete into the next era where the likes of the Big Four took over, Safin made himself well-known. Safin, a two-time Grand Slam champion, could hit anyone off the court with his power, but his lack of consistency and emotional outbursts were his true downfall.
Safin became world number one back in November 2000. He won his first major that year at the US Open, defeating Pete Sampras in three sets to take the title. His second Grand Slam victory also came at the hands of a home favorite, Lleyton Hewitt at the 2005 Australian Open.