The World Number One, Serena Williams won the women’s singles final in the Australian Open, the only woman to win the title five times.
In a tense battle, Williams beat Belgian, Justine Henin 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, making it Williams’ 12th Grand Slam title and putting her on a par with Billie Jean Kings’ 12 Grand Slams.
Ms Williams said Billie Jean, who was amongst the spectators, had come in to see her before the match and admitted that she was feeling nervous.
“It was a special feeling because I was able to tie with Billie Jean’s record,” she told Channel Seven, “It was a big relief”.
Williams also welcomed Justine Henin back on the circuit saying, “It’s good to have her back. It’s such exciting tennis.”
Henin had been in retirement for 20 months and the match was only her second tournament on the World Tennis Associations (WTA) circuit since her return late last year.
Henin said it had been an emotional experience coming back, and thanked spectators for their support
“I thought it would never happen again, to finally come back and really enjoy the tournament,” she told the crowd at the award presentations. “It was amazing playing on front of you.
Henin, who won the Australian Open in 2004, had never met Williams in a Grand Slam final although the pair had 18 Slam singles trophies between them going into the match.
Despite her loss, the Belgian gave Williams a scare after losing the first set and then fighting back to win 8 points in a row. She made 32 unforced errors to Williams 37 but Williams had the extra drive and power in her serves to take the advantage, serving 12 aces to Henin’s 4.
Both players said they looked forward to returning next year.
In a tense battle, Williams beat Belgian, Justine Henin 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, making it Williams’ 12th Grand Slam title and putting her on a par with Billie Jean Kings’ 12 Grand Slams.
Ms Williams said Billie Jean, who was amongst the spectators, had come in to see her before the match and admitted that she was feeling nervous.
“It was a special feeling because I was able to tie with Billie Jean’s record,” she told Channel Seven, “It was a big relief”.
Williams also welcomed Justine Henin back on the circuit saying, “It’s good to have her back. It’s such exciting tennis.”
Henin had been in retirement for 20 months and the match was only her second tournament on the World Tennis Associations (WTA) circuit since her return late last year.
Henin said it had been an emotional experience coming back, and thanked spectators for their support
“I thought it would never happen again, to finally come back and really enjoy the tournament,” she told the crowd at the award presentations. “It was amazing playing on front of you.
Henin, who won the Australian Open in 2004, had never met Williams in a Grand Slam final although the pair had 18 Slam singles trophies between them going into the match.
Despite her loss, the Belgian gave Williams a scare after losing the first set and then fighting back to win 8 points in a row. She made 32 unforced errors to Williams 37 but Williams had the extra drive and power in her serves to take the advantage, serving 12 aces to Henin’s 4.
Both players said they looked forward to returning next year.
