Tennis: Why dont many people like Justine Henin?

Question

Apparently she wasn't well liked on tour or something? I've only been following tennis for a short time so I dont know why.

I've heard something went on with her and Serena Williams?

Answer 1

She's ugly!

Answer 2

sean b.-actually to clarify.....she became bulky before she came down with mono. it was the physique from her training with pat etcheberry at the end of 2002-03 which helped her win her win her first slams at RG and the crazily wonderful us open win in 03. and the illness she had in 04 was legitimate. if anybody remembers,her last matches,which incidentally were on clay,(the weird upset at RG to tatiana garbin in the first round) before taking the break it was quite obvious she wasn't well. but that was hardly suspect.

but the other mentions of her unsportsmanlike behaviour have warranted unsavoury sentiments toward her. and it is justified,indefinitely. especially the aussie open final where she retired in the final and didn't allow mauresmo to win with dignity.

Answer 3

In the French Open in 2003, the first one Justine won, she "held up her hand" to stop play while Serena was serving.  Justine claims she didn't while Serena said she did.  The umpire let the decision go Justine's way.  She would've won the match anyway but since then there's been a hatred btwn the two.  At the U.S. Open 2007, Serena actually mouthed "b**ch" at Justine on Justine's serve.  So if you ask me, more people should hate Serena.

I personally love Justine and am very upset to see her leave.

Answer 4

americans do not like justine because she is not american.

and she is the only 5'5" 120 pound lady who can kick both the williams sisters to the ghetto gutter.

and yeah, justine is ugly too.

Answer 5

I don't like her because she's ugly.

Answer 6

When she is playing in a tournament,she plays with serenity, has the inner beauty and gracefully take her tennis shots,  that you dont see in many other women tennis players, who dominate their games/ display their games with power muscles and grunts and screams. Thats what i like about Henin.

No she is not ugly, as the old saying goes, "small is beautiful"

Answer 7

hi there!

I really like her, very good tennis, good fighting spirit and over-all.  I think many people hate her because of jealousy of what she is now and what she has achieved.

Her retirement will be a great loss for women's tennis.  It will not be the same as before.  we will not be able to see how she fight till the end of the game.

I will surely miss her

Answer 8

yes thats true.

i will not repeat the same incidents that the others have talked about but those were reasons for her unpopularity.

she supposedly faked injury in matches just to get some rest time and there are many claims of her behaviour being unsportsmanlike.

inspite of all this she was my favourite player on tour(along with jankovic) and her retirement came as a great shock to me.

i will so miss that amazing backhand of hers and especially miss her at thr french open.

Answer 9

Many people also don't like Henin because of the 2006 Australian Open Final. She retired when she was losing 6-1, 2-0.

I personally think she was a great player, will be missed

Answer 10

Early in her career Henin developed a reputation as being a poor sport and a cheater. At the 2003 French Open she played Serena Williams in the Semifinals. Serena was up 4-2 and serving in the third set when Henin raised her hand to imply she wasn't ready for the serve. Serena was supposed to get two serves but because the umpire didn't see it the serve was called as a fault. When the umpire asked Henin if she had her hand up she pretended like she had no idea what Serena was talking about. Justine went on to win the match because Serena mentally collapsed from the injustice.

See the incident here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb8w5_i6w...

And the full match here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIFcf8bHi...

There were other incidents of Henin's questionable behaviour. In a match against fellow Belgian, Kim Clijsters, Henin was seen adamantly calling a ball out that was shown clearly in on the replay. This was in the pre-shot spot days so she ended up winning the point and the match.

In the 2006 Australian Open final Amelie Mauresmo was winning 6-1 2-0 when Henin decided to retire with no obvious sign of injury or illness. Many people saw that as being a poor sport and robbing Mauresmo the thrill of actually completing the match for her first grand slam.

Later that same year Henin was once again criticized for handing the Italians the Fed cup tie after she retired in the crucial doubles match before a large Belgian crowd. Trailing 6-3 2-6 0-2 in doubles with Partner Kirsten Flipkens, Henin retired citing knee pain and and a host of other ailments. She went on to win the year ending championships the following month.

It was incidents like these (screaming allez at her opponents' error and leaving the tour for 6 months with a mystery ailment only to return suspiciously bulkier than before)  and her in your face competitive attitude that made her one of the least popular players on tour.

Edit: SJ, I appreciate the clairification but whether it's fair or not that's how a lot of people remember it. The question is why don't people  like  her? These are some of the reasons.

Answer 11

LOL at all those people who said she's ugly. its a sad but true fact...i think its cuz she maybe plays like a man and doesnt have the intensity and style like sharapova or ivanovic

Answer 12

I think most people dont like her coz she's so amazingly talented & successful in her tennis career for someone of her size...

Answer 13

I like Justine, love her style of play, but like Djoker, she cuts out of matches she loses (not as much as Djoker or Davydenko) and she has done some questionable things. Still, her game is so beautiful to watch, that you don't really "hate" her.

The issue with Serena was resolved. Serena can't blame losing an entire match on one questionable call.

Answer 14

Because she was not showing a good sportmanship. For example, at 2003 French Open she lied to the Referree about the hand incident. Also in 2006 US Open, when playing against Jelena Jankovic, she pretended to be hurt (injury) to get a rest time. Eventually Jelena lost the match after agame away from winning .

SO you can judge yourself.