Why I Like Justine

1051 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by AjdeNate!, Aug 22, 2008

auntie janie

Discussion Starter · Oct 15, 2001

I watched the Foxsports taped coverage of this match today and tried to figure out why I find Justine Henin to be such an exciting player.

There are a lot of reasons actually, but I decided one is because Justine looks so DIFFERENT when she plays.  Her strokes are different, that shocking one-handed backhand, that arm swinging way up, her body is crouching low, curling tight and uncoiling like a whip, and I don't know what she is going to do next! it is SO much fun to witness!

The downside of this revelation was the realization that most of the top women players now play one game. Martina Hingis was different until she somehow lost her creativity and desire; Tauziat is different, but the networks don't show her too much because she is not pretty, I guess. Monica has those two hands on both sides and when she is on fire she still hits those breathtaking angles, but she doesn't consistently find her fire, and then she's like all the rest.

So we are left with a bunch of power-hitting baseliners slugging it out, running each other back and forth across the baseline,  blah blah.

So I say ALLEZ JUSTINE!!  Keep playing, keep fighting, keep winning, so that little girls might want to play like YOU someday, and entertain us couch potatoes for years to come!

(also posted at Tennis Week!)

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rhz

· #2 · Oct 15, 2001

with such a small figure, she shows that size didn't matter

she has this incredible huge one-handed backhand that everybody jealous about (including me of course) <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0">

her forehand is also powerful, she could use her serve as a weapon (not like hingis) she could volley, chip and charge, slice, everything!

Allez Justine ! <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce.gif" border="0">

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cynicole

· #3 · Oct 15, 2001

I was watching (and taping) that Foxsports coverage too (Tracy annoyed me more than usual, I must say...and some of her stats were completely wrong...and, of course, that rampant mispronounciation). I was also thinking the same thing you were, janie.

She's just so different from any of the other players I've seen (and because I live in America I'm basically limited to the Spice Girls and Big Babes). First off, she's a small aggressive all-court player. (In other words, she's not a percentage-playing counter-puncher nor does she serve and volley like most of the other featherweights.)

This girl isn't afraid to move forward. She's so gutsy. She doesn't pop back behind the baseline when an opportunity arises closer to the net. (I get frustrated watching Big Babes pop back behind the baseline when they could finish off a point quicker by moving forward.)

There's also the amazing power she's able to generate off both sides. (That forehand is very underrated, IMO.) And she gets this power through technique, not size.

Having a "flashy" one-handed backhand helps, of course. (Amelie Mauresmo is my favorite big babe to watch simply for that reason.)

Her wind-ups and follow-throughs lend a certain flair to her shots as well. When she jumps to hit those balls...it leaves me in awe sometimes. Amazing athleticism. She throws her whole body into it.

She has tons of variety in her game too. (Too bad Davenport didn't give us a chance to see more of it.)

And she's still pretty much a work-in-progress. It's been fun seeing her improve.

[ October 15, 2001: Message edited by: cynicole ]

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jomar

· #4 · Oct 15, 2001

She's JUSTINCREDIBLE!!!!!! <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/kiss.gif" border="0">

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per4ever

· #5 · Oct 15, 2001

I love her because she's the best belgian player ever. I already noticed her when she participated the junior tours and knew she would make it.

I just love the way she plays.. not only the backhand, but also her forehand is very good. If you watch the statistics of her matches she scores the most points on her forehand. She always plays aggresive and she is sooo fast at the court.

I hope she can become the number #1 in the world.

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luke

· #6 · Oct 18, 2001

Wanna know why everybody loves justine?read this!!!!

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auntie janie

Discussion Starter · #7 · Oct 18, 2001

Thanks, Luke!! Great article! <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce.gif" border="0">

I didn't even know that about her best friend! How terrible. Poor Justine. <IMG SRC="smilies/sad.gif" border="0">

I think her outer toughness in the face of so many personal losses, and her small size, bring out the maternal instinct in me! <IMG SRC="smilies/hearts.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/hearts.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/hearts.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/hearts.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/hearts.gif" border="0">

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luke

· #8 · Oct 18, 2001

the thing about her best friend is just CRAP!!!!!
I don't know where this rumour comes from, but that's only bullshit! trust me!

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auntie janie

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 18, 2001

Oh good! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Thanks for clearing that up, Luke! <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

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AjdeNate!

· #10 · Aug 22, 2008

I miss my Juju on the court.

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