Defending Champion Henin Ready for More Success in Dubai - 網球

http://www.dubaitennischampionships.com/2/news/2007/news13.asp
Defending Champion Henin Ready for More Success in Dubai Duty Free Women's Open

- Star-studded line-up arrives in Dubai ready for the Middle East’s
showpiece tennis event -

Dubai, UAE, February 17th, 2007: World number two Justine Henin has arrived
in Dubai focused on the possibility of winning a fourth Dubai Duty Free Women
’s Open.

The dynamic Belgian star has an impressive unbeaten record in Dubai and has
not lost a match in her three previous trips to Dubai, winning the title in
2003, 2004 and 2006.

“I’m glad I’m coming back to Dubai,” said Henin, who defeated Maria
Sharapova in a thrilling final to clinch last year’s victory. “It’s a
tournament I like a lot. It’s only good memories for me. They’re doing a
great job and it’s a good crowd and very nice atmosphere.”

The Dubai Tennis Championships holds a special place in Henin’s heart.
Following her win over Monica Seles in the 2003 Dubai final, Henin went onto
super stardom after winning another seven events that year, including the
French and US Opens.

“In 2003 it was the beginning of something amazing for me, because a lot of
things happened in my career at that time and almost everything started for
me here in Dubai,” she recalled.

Since then, Henin has won three more Grand Slam titles and also has an
Olympic gold hanging in her trophy cabinet. And in 2006 she became one of the
elite few to contest all four Grand Slam finals in the same year.

As well as being crowned 2006 world champion, edging out Australian Open and
Wimbledon champion Amelie Mauresmo, she was named as UNESCO (United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) Champion for Sport.

But Henin won’t have it all her own way this week when she squares off
against some of the toughest competitors on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.

Entering the fray is Serb tennis star Jelena Jankovic who is certain to be a
top contender in a field that features many of the biggest names in the game.

Jankovic has been the player to beat in 2007 as she claimed the title in
Auckland and went down in three tight sets to Kim Clijsters in the Sydney
final. Then it took eventual champion Serena Williams to halt her progress at
the Australian Open.

Now the amiable 21-year old will return to a city in which she has often
enjoyed great success.

In 2005 she strode all the way to the final, beating Sania Mirza and then
Serena Williams before taking number one-ranked Lindsay Davenport to three
tight sets in the final. And that followed Jelena’s earlier visit to Dubai,
when she left with the champions trophy after winning an ITF circuit event.

She was unable to repeat her success last year, after contracting a virus
that drained her of energy and which was so severe that she contemplated
retirement.

“It was a tough time for me and it took two and a half months to recover,”
said Jankovic. Whenever I got on court, I didn't have the will to practice,
didn't want to play. It was something that I never felt before, and I almost
quit playing tennis. I just wanted to go to university and continue with my
studies.

“But I think when you go through something like this, it makes you stronger
as a person. For me, as a player, as well, I feel like I appreciate my
results a lot more, and I know what I'm doing and I know the right values.
That's the most important.”

Fortunately, things eventually turned around, and Jankovic did indeed return
as an even better and stronger player than before. And she was rewarded for
her resilience last month when she entered the top 10 for the first time.

“Jelena is one of the great characters of the game, and we are delighted
that she was able to recover both her health and her game,” said Colm
McLoughlin, Managing Director of tournament organisers Dubai Duty Free. “She
has enjoyed great success in Dubai, reaching the final in 2005, and she is
certain to be one of the leading challengers for the title once again.”

Jankovic joins a field that also features recent Tokyo winner Martina Hingis
and 2006 French Open finalist Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Dubai Duty Free have also confirmed Australian Open and Wimbledon champion
Amelie Mauresmo, Tunisia’s Selima Sfar and Romania’s Monica Niculescu as
wild cards.

Sfar has for several years served as an inspiration for women players all
across the Arab region, and last season was especially successful as she
caused one of the biggest upsets at the Dubai Tennis Championships by beating
former top-10 Russian star Vera Zvonareva, before going on to win an event in
Lebanon.

The greatest tennis extravaganza in the Middle East will kick-off at the
Dubai Tennis Stadium this Monday (February 19th) with the women’s event, and
will be followed from February 26th when another $1,500,000 will be up for
grabs in the 15th staging of the ATP tournament.

The Dubai Tennis Championships is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and
takes place under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

For further information: John Rynehart, Promoseven Sports Marketing,
(T) +9714 3210008; (M) +971 50 55 96795; [email protected]

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