Fourteen matches, seven in the Slams, and the same brand on both rackets. A rivalry that finished 8–6, and the frames behind it.
Serena Williams and Justine Henin met 14 times between 2001 and 2010, and Serena finished ahead 8–6. At the majors Henin leads 4–3, but in the one Grand Slam final they played, the 2010 Australian Open, Serena won. And they both played Wilson.
The Rackets
Wilson Hammer Tour (Henin) — the International Tennis Hall of Fame holds the Hammer Tour that Henin used to win the 2003 US Open, beating Kim Clijsters 7–5, 6–1. It is a midsize-plus graphite composite frame, black with orange accents, strung with clear gut that has a red Wilson logo painted on the strings. When she returned in 2010, Wilson’s records show her on the Tour BLX.
Wilson (Serena) — Wilson lists Serena’s racket for the 2010 Australian Open final as the K Factor K Blade Team 104. For the frames of her early years, see Venus and Serena Williams, and for her other great rival of the decade, Serena Williams and Sharapova.
The Strings
Serena played a full bed of Wilson natural gut until 2012, so on her side of the net every one of their 14 matches was played with gut. Henin’s 2003 US Open racket, the one in the Hall of Fame, is strung with clear gut too. Gut never really left.
The Ball
Their 2003 Wimbledon semifinal was played with a yellow ball. Wimbledon had given up white in 1986. Here is the story of how white disappeared.
Key Matches
2002 German Open final: Henin won 6–2, 1–6, 7–6.
2002 Italian Open final: Serena won 7–6, 6–4.
2003 Charleston final: Henin won 6–3, 6–4.
2003 French Open semifinal: Henin won 6–2, 4–6, 7–5.
2003 Wimbledon semifinal: Serena won 6–3, 6–2.
2007 US Open quarterfinal: Henin won 7–6, 6–1.
2008 Miami quarterfinal: Serena won 6–2, 6–0.
2010 Australian Open final: Serena won 6–4, 3–6, 6–2, in Henin’s comeback year.
The Verdict
Serena leads 8–6 overall and 3–2 in finals. Henin leads 4–3 in Grand Slam matches, but Serena won the only Grand Slam final.
On the record: Serena, 8–6.
On Grand Slam finals: Serena, 1–0.
Want to play the game the way they saw it? Join the waiting list for The White Ball, or get the free collector’s guide to start your own racket collection.
— The Editor, Court Privée
Leave a Reply