The Queen of Charleston's Clay

ไม่ได้แปลนะคะ เยอะเกิน เขียนโดย columnist ของ นสพ. ใน Charleston สถานที่แข่งขันรายการ Family Circle Cup ค่ะ

Don't bet against Justine Henin-Hardenne, who might win any given Family Circle Cup set before you can finish a grilled fish sandwich in the food court. The 23-year-old Belgian took titles on Daniel Island in 2003 and 2005 and, if healthy, is the favorite again when the heavy action begins on Monday.

A Justine alphabet primer:

A - Attack. Henin-Hardenne's fierce approach featuring altering styles makes her the Greg Maddux of women's tennis. Her array of shots rarely delivered the same way twice in a row, mixed with a masterful one-handed backhand, works splendidly on the slick American green clay found in Charleston or the slightly slower European red stuff most identified with Roland Garros.

B - Breakthrough. Henin-Hardenne shot from No. 48 in the WTA Tour rankings to No. 7 in 2001.

C - Contrast. At just under 5-6 and 126 pounds, Justine doesn't look like she should be able to slug it out with bigger, taller, stronger players. But even 6-2 Maria Sharapova appreciates the contrast.

"I know you are reporters and I know this is your job," Sharapova said following her entertaining semifinal loss to Henin-Hardenne at the Australian Open in January, "but, you know, take your note pads, take your pencils down, take your grunt-o-meters down and the fashion police, and put everything away and just watch the match from the fans' perspective. I seriously think the quality of the match was great."

D - Determination. The London Daily Telegraph accurately described Justine as "a tenacious little woman."

E - Excuses. She doesn't believe in them. Latest example: She refused to blame obvious knee pain for her first-round loss to former doubles partner Meghann Shaughnessy in Miami last month.

F - French Open. Justine won at Roland Garros in 2003 and 2005, the

same years she won Family Circle Cup titles. She owns two other Grand Slam titles, having won the U.S. Open in 2003 and the Australian Open in 2004.

G - Generous. Received the 2005 Family Circle/State Farm "Player Who Makes a Difference" award for her charity work. She is particularly interested in helping children battle cancer.

H - Husband. Justine Henin married Pierre-Yves Hardenne on Nov. 16, 2002, at Belgium's Chateau de Laveau-Sainte-Anne.

I - Icon. Justine and fellow tour star Kim Clijsters are beloved in Belgium. Henin-Har-denne met with Belgium's royal family just after winning the 2003 French Open.

J - Just Justine. She didn't play doubles in 2005 and hasn't won a doubles title since 2002.

K - Knee. A major concern as the injury cost Henin-Hardenne a semifinal match against Elena Dementieva at Indian Wells in March, the tournament just before she bowed out early in Miami.

L - Liege, Belgium. Justine's birthplace.

M - Monte Carlo. Justine's current home.

N - Navratilova, Martina. Won the French Open the week Justine was born in 1982.

O - Olympics. Represented Belgium in the 2004 Athens Games and won the gold medal match, defeating Amelie Mauresmo of France.

P - Prize money. Henin-Har-denne has won more than $10 million on the WTA Tour since turning pro in 1999.

Q - Quote: "Such a joy to hold that trophy!" she wrote in her online diary following her 2005 Family Circle Cup title victory over Dementieva.

R - Return game. Among the best in women's tennis as all the biggest big servers know.

S - Skydiving. Her hobby. She has jumped over 20 times.

T - Tour ranking: Currently No. 3.

U - Undefeated. Justine is 11-0 in Charleston. And counting.

V - Victories. Her WTA Tour career record is 372-94.

W - Web site: www.henin-hardenne.be

X - X-ray. Hopefully not necessary this week, but injuries and illness have cramped Justine's style on-and-off for more than two years.

Y - Year-end singles rankings: As high as No. 1 for 2003; No. 6 for 2005.

Z - zhoo-STEEN EN-ah ar-DEN. The correct pronunciation. Any way you say it, don't bet against the defending champ at the Family Circle Cup.

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