Best women’s tennis player of last decade?

Question

It’s got to be a race in two between Serena Williams and Justine Henin. Judging by Grand Slam titles, Williams’ 11 trump Henin’s seven. But Justine Henin has spent 117 weeks as world No. 1, although Serena could move past that in 2010.

You have to wonder whether, had Henin not retired in 2008 and missed the end of the decade, this would even be a debate. But that’s what happened, and Serena won three of her Grand Slam titles when Henin was out of the game. They both stand head and shoulders above the rest, but perhaps it’s Serena who edges Henin out in the first decade of this millennium. Whether that will be the case when they both actually retire will only be known in the fullness of time.

Answer 1

In terms of pure technical ability I'd say maybe Clijsters or Henin.

I'd call Henin the best in pound for pound terms. Her achievements not far off of Serena's, and at around 5'6 she is better than anyone bigger than her.

Answer 2

The fact that Serena is the only woman on today's circuit that has won all four Grand Slams (winning most of them more than once) would suggest that she is the best women's tennis player on circuit.

The timing of Henin's retirement was very clever in that I remember a commentator pointing out that Sharapova was due to overtake her at the top spot when the ratings would be reissued by the WTA.  To retire with the #1 ranking Henin had to retire on the day that she did.

Further, assuming Henin would have won the French Open 2008 and 2009 (I would not be so bold to hand her a win on any other Grand Slam event) she would currently be on nine Grand Slams versus Serena's 12 Grand Slam titles.