(Provided by Tennis World USA)
Justine Henin says Serena Williams “had the ability to make you feel small on the court” as the Belgian admitted that she always “felt intimidated” by the American tennis legend. Henin, a former seven-time Grand Slam champion, won her first Major title 20 years ago at the French Open.
En route to landing her first Grand Slam title, Henin had to beat Williams – who at the time already had multiple Grand Slam titles in her collection. Before the start of her 2003 French Open semifinal match, Henin looked herself in the mirror and promised herself she would not allow Williams to easily beat her.
That helped Henin overcome the intimidation factor and beat Williams 6-2 4-6 7-5. Henin later crushed Kim Clijsters in the French Open final to lift her first Grand Slam title.
Henin on overcoming the intimidation factor and beating Williams
“She was the ultimate challenge and I always felt intimidated by her.
This time I said ‘no’. I refused to let her walk all over me. I went into that match with a lot of eagerness and determination. I’d only played one semi-final before at the French Open, in 2001, and I couldn’t close it.
I wanted my revenge. But there’s a…
