Justine's Diary- Before Roland Garros 2006 - 網球

http://www.henin-hardenne.be/bin/index.asp?lang=en

Justine's Diary- Before Roland Garros 2006
23/05/2006:

Hello Everyone,

I've got a little time between trainings, and I want to give you my news. At
the moment, I'm happy with my clay court preparations this season. I played
less matches than last year, that's for sure! Last year, I had won matches in
a very different situation.

This is my transition year. I know that many things will gradually fall into
place, but one is certain, and as of May I avoided the major physical
problems. This is a big positive, and a point which differs to the previous
years. I will try keep this good form until the end of the season. If I could
have one consistent season, a good level of tournaments entered, and good
results, I would already be very satisfied. There's been consistency from the
start this year with two tournament title victories, two finales, two
semi-finals, and the two matches for Fed Cup. The only negative match was my
exit in round one at Miami. If I maintain this form, with these level of
results, and especially if my health enables me to play; it will be a good
season. I can't promise a great tournament, with a great final victory
everytime, but it's necessary to let things happen gradually. If I can play
about 15 tournaments this year, then it's a successful 2006 season.

Recently, I lost very tight matches, one against Schnyder, and another with
Petrova. They are very good players, off course, but I didn't lose confidence
on clay. I proved it many times before. In Berlin, there was a little
disappointment not to be at my best form in the final, but I had a great week
of tennis; it was very positive.

Fed Cup was great too! Initially, it was a test, a very interesting
experience, but then my tennis level became very high. I found myself in a
very good mindset, and place to be, in terms of my level of play.

After Fed Cup, I chose not to play Warsaw, and that was a wise decision. I
shouldn't play 15 days prior to Roland Garros because it's such a demanding
surface, I needed to recover, and rest after Berlin.

It's important to take the positives from these last weeks. There are many
things to retain. I must continue to take my off court responsabilities, and
this can only help me before I play a match.

Everyone knows well Roland Garros is special for me, I don't have to paint a
picture to explain. As I have said many times, I can play my best or my worst
there. In tennis, a defeat is never as serious compared with other things in
life; it's important to put it in perspective. I hope to play well. If
there's any tournament where I want to play well, it is there (RG), but I
don't have a crystal ball. I try to do all the necessary preparations so
things go accordingly, but it doesn't always depend on me. The adversary, and
my physical condition on a day matters too. It's difficult to say what will
occur, I cannot predict, I can just prepare the best possible way.

Roland Garros 2006 is not the final event of my career, it's not an end in
itself. It is obviously an objective in my season, I know my stature on clay.
I know what I am worth there, but there are girls who exploit this surface
better every year; Petrova for example. I have the advantage of playing many
girls who are the best on clay these last weeks; it's a very affirmative
thing for me.

I cross my fingers for this tournament, and I know you'll be numerous in
support behind me. Thank you.


See you soon,


Justine



--