Justine Henin will be making her return to competitive tennis at the Brisbane International in January, and the Belgian is preparing the world for what will probably be another era of her dominance.

The 27-year-old Henin beat world No.12 Flavia Pennetta 6-4 6-4 in an exhibition tournament in Belgium on Sunday, showing how big a contender she still is (not that anyone doubted).

The main goal of Henin’s return will be to add Wimbledon to her collection of seven Grand Slam titles. She reached the Wimbledon final in 2001 and 2006 – the first one she lost to Venus Williams, the second to Amelie Mauresmo.

After Brisbane, Henin will play the Australian Open, the tournament she won in 2004. (photo: Ralf Reinecke)

Justine Henin has been granted a wildcard entry to the 2010 Australian Open, the Grand Slam she won in 2004.

The Belgian is planning to revive her tennis career at the start of the 2010 season, and her coach, Carlos Rodriguez, said last week that she would probably kick it off at the Brisbane International starting January 3rd.

The seven-time Grand Slam titlist, who was ranked No.1 for 117 non-consecutive weeks, including the day she retired (May 14, 2008), will need wildcards or qualifications to play in the main draw. (source: AFP, photo: Ralf Reinecke)

Former world number one Justine Henin announced that she will return to playing tennis competitively as of January 2010 and the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour appreciates her decision.

"Justine is one of the great champions in the history of women’s tennis, and we, along with millions of her fans around the globe, are thrilled with her announcement today," said Stacey Allaster, chairman and CEO of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.

"Justine is that rare athlete who decided to step away from the game at the height of her powers, and no doubt she will be a force to be reckoned with from the get go. Her career was marked by so many amazing moments, and a new chapter begins today."

Justine has announced her plan to return to the Tour 16 months after what was at the time considered to be a permanent retirement. (via On the Baseline, photo: Ralf Reinecke)

After weeks of rumors about her return, speaking to the Belgian television station RTL, former world number one Justine Henin officially announced her plans to come back to the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour in January 2010.

"I am really happy and am deeply moved to be able to announce this evening that I will return to competition," said the 27-year-old seven-time Grand Slam champion.

Henin shocked the world by announcing her immediate retirement May 14, 2008, claiming that her drive to compete was gone for good. Thing have changed in the meantime.

"There is a flame which is revived," the Belgian added. "I thought it forever extinct."

Henin will launch her comeback in Australia next season. (source: On the Baseline, photo via Tennis Channel)

Two Belgian media are reporting that much-missed Justine Henin is expected to announce a return to professional tennis on Tuesday.

If what La Derniere Heure and Le Soir are reporting is true, the former world No.1 Henin will follow in the footsteps of other former top-ranked players like Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport, and fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters who has returned to the Tour just a few weeks ago and has already won the US Open.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion who retired on May 14, 2008, would most probably shake up the Tour with her comeback, but on the other hand make it steadier as well. (source: On the Baseline, photo: Tennis Channel)

Newly-crowned US Open champion Kim Clijsters, who has from an unranked player amazingly propelled to No.19 in the rankings, showed off her trophy in New York’s Times Square, joined by husband Brian Lynch and super cute daughter Jada.

The former world No.1 Clijsters has never looked better, and why wouldn't she, her US Open triumph is highlighting the whole tennis season.

Just to mention: Kim’s fellow Belgian and great champion Justine Henin used her official website to congratulate Kim on this great success.

Dear Kim,

Congratulations with your magnificent victory.
Once again, Jada can be very proud of her mama. Your achievement is just fantastic! Warm applause to you and your whole family.

Best regards,
Justine

(photos via Down the Line)

According to Belgian newspaper Vers L'Avenir there is a possibility of Justine Henin returning to the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour next season.

The Belgian, who abruptly retired in May 2008 while still at the top of the rankings and just ahead of her favorite Grand Slam (Roland Garros), has started training for exhibitions in Belgium and Dubai at the end of this year. Henin’s entourage has confirmed the preparations, while Vers L'Avenir added that Henin is considering the revival of her tennis career.

While retiring, Henin was confident about her decision, stating she wanted to do other things in life, and backed it up months later by saying:

No, no competition is over for me. For me, it’s definitely over. When I took my decision I knew it was forever. So I don’t say I will never be back for an exhibition or for another event in the future. But for me (playing) on the Tour? Yeah, it’s in the past and I won’t come back. I made the right decision and I stick to my decision. I will never change my mind about that decision.

The 27-year-old Henin had claimed 41 WTA titles, including 7 Grand Slams. (source: Tennis.com, photo: Stephane Martinache)

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)