I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so. As I predicted, Justine Henin lost the number one ranking in the world. Of course, she did so in an entirely unexpected manner by retiring from the sport completely on May 14, 2008. (Well, ok, so I didn’t exactly predict she would lose number one, but just she would have many surprising losses in 2008. And this one sure is a biggie!)
Her departure from tennis has been written on and pondered over by writers the world over. Not too much I can add there. But given the many comparisons drawn between the two over the years, often stated in terms such as commitment to the sport, temperment, and even style of play, I thought I might contribute to the field by offering a comparison of accomplishments of Steffi at age 25 vs. Justine at age 25.
- In 39 slams played, Steffi won 15 (38%). In 31 slams played, Justine won 7 (23%).
- Steffi had won at least one Slam each year from the age of 17-25. Justine won at least one Slam each year from the age of 20-24.
- Steffi won at minimum seven tournaments per year from the age of 17-25. Justine won a minimum of two tournaments per year from the age of 20-25.
- Steffi’s most remembered year was 1988 when, at 19, she won all four Grand Slams and the Olympics, won 11 tournaments, and amassed a 72-3 win-loss record (96%). However, her most dominant year was 1989 when she won 13 tournaments and had a 86-2 win-loss record (98%). Justine’s most dominant year was 2007 during which she won 10 tournaments and picked up a 63-4 record (94%).
- By age 25, Steffi had won 85 singles titles and been runner up in another 25. Justine finished her career with 41 and 16 runner up appearances.
- They both won Olympic Gold for tennis, Graf in 1988 and Henin in 2004.
- At 25, Steffi had finished the year atop the world rankings six times (1987-90, 1993-94); Justine 3 times (2001, 2006-07).
- Steffi was the highest ranked player ever to retire when she was #3 in the world until Justine retired while she was number #1. (That’s the one stat the Justine will have forever over Steffi!)
