Four-time Roland Garros champion Justine Henin, who quit tennis last year while still on top of the rankings, was in Paris on Thursday to attend a ceremony where she was honored with an alley at the claycourt Grand Slam being named after her.

The Belgian is standing by her decision to stay away from competitive tennis, even though she knows very well how hard it is to switch to a totally different way of life.

I think that this step, to move on, is very hard. I can tell you even if I have a lot of character, it hasn't been that easy for myself either, to, you know, stop tennis and be back in like a normal life. I think not everyone can make this step, and maybe, you know, want to be back because they don't know what to do. You have to discover who you are and to build another life. It's like it's a new birth, you know.

(source: ESPN, photos via Great Tennis Photos)

According to Le Soir newspaper, television is the latest love of Justine Henin. The former world number one will show her on-screen talents on RTBF channel, participating in two big programs.

Henin will take part in the show called De twaalf werken van Justine Henin, which translates as The twelve works of Justine Henin. The tennis star will take on twelve personal challenges such training with Belgian soccer team RSC Anderlecht, cooking a meal, and modeling on a catwalk.

Henin will also have a guest role in the highly popular soap opera called Plus belle la vie, and as I understand, she will play herself.

In addition, the Belgian will also start hosting a music show that revolves around singer Lara Fabian.

Additional info: The new Justine for Kids website has been launched. There you can learn about the new charity organization and about its upcoming projects. The website will feature personal stories, photographs and videos to let you follow the works of the association. (sources: RTBF, Tennis Grand Stand, Tennis Head, photo: Ralf Reinecke)

Former Belgian world No.1s, Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters, who have both retired from tennis – Henin last year, Clijsters two years ago – are reportedly preparing for exhibition events in 2009.

According to Belgian press, the seven-time Grand Slam champion Henin will play the Belgian Tennis Trophy exhibition in Charleroi on 5-6 December. As for Clijsters, she has been training regularly, together with her former sparring partner Wim Fissette and physical coach Sam Verslegers. The mother of little girl Jada is aiming to participate in some exhibition matches this year.

Clijster’s manager Bob Verbeeck insists that Clijsters’ trainings don’t indicate that she will return to the WTA Tour. At this point, I don’t believe Henin will return either. (sources: tennis.com, Clijsters' official website, photo via sporza. be)

Former world number one Justine Henin was given a lifetime tennis achievement award on Sunday night in Ostend, Northern Belgium at the nation’s prestigious Sports Gala occasion.

Besides award, the Belgian tennis star received video messages from American tennis legend Pete Sampras and Justine's male childhood tennis idol Stefan Edberg.

"I have no regrets. I can't regret a life which gave me so much", explained Henin, who unexpectedly retired in May. "I learned so many things about myself. It's important to have the wisdom to stop at a time when it's the moment to move on. I have only good memories." Read more »

A member of Tennis Forum gave a summary of one Danish article which, according to the member, says that Justine Henin will play tennis again, well, in an exhibition match only. The former world No.1's opponent will be Dane Caroline Wozniacki.

The tennis exhibition should take place next year in Odense, Denmark or Copenhagen, Denmark. No specific date has been set yet.

Why Henin and Wozniacki? Because they are both sponsored by adidas. (photo: Ralf Reinecke)