Hardenne eager to get back to business ( 2003-12-19 10:10) (Agencies) World number one Justine Henin-Hardenne cannot
wait for next season after three weeks of intense training in Florida.
"I am very keen to start the tennis year all over again," the Belgian told a
news conference on Thursday before playing an exhibition match against Frenchman
Yannick Noah, who won the French Open 20 years ago.
"I stopped competition five weeks ago," Henin said. "But after two weeks of
vacation, I wanted to start practising again. I worked very hard during the last
three weeks and I feel stronger than last year at the same period, both
physically and mentally.
"I want now to win tournaments I never won before. And I will fight very hard
to stay number one. The feeling I have being in that position is really great."
Henin-Hardenne, the 2003 French and US Open champion, has also set her sights
on the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
"I will do my best to win it," she said. "To me it's the fifth Grand Slam
tournament of 2004. I will win it for Belgium."
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