Henin proves bigger is not always better

Justine Henin is living proof that bigger is not always better.

At just under 5-foot-6 (1.67m), the Belgian is one of the smallest players on the WTA Tour but, ranked sixth in the world, she is also one of the best.

The eighth seed, who advanced to the fourth round of the U.S. Open on Friday, beating New York native Bea Bielik 7-5, 6-1, said she relishes the challenge that tennis brings, despite her diminutive size.

"The biggest challenge is on the court, to win a lot of matches. My goal is to improve my ranking and to be focused on my game and play aggressive tennis," she told reporters.

"People love me because I'm not a big girl like the other players, and it's good to see different kinds of players and different styles."

It has been a good couple of years for the 20-year-old, who was last year's losing finalist at Wimbledon.

Despite being unable to match that grand slam success so far she has been finalist at five of this season's tournaments and beat Serena Williams to win the German Open.

She also made it to the quarter-final of the Australian Open in January, her best performance in Melbourne to date, and reached the semi-final at this year's Wimbledon.

She credits her success to her utter devotion to the game and is conscious that her days as a top professional are limited.

"It's not so difficult to keep focused because I'm 20 years old and I know tennis is not going to be there all my life, so I focus all my attention on it," she said.

"I always give everything to tennis and I don't feel I've had to make a lot of sacrifices because it's what I love." She does not even mind all the travelling. "I like to travel now, more than when I was 15 or 16 years old," she said.

"I've been all over the world and I like this life. I do it because it's my passion and I like to be on tour.

"But I also have many things in my life apart from tennis," she added. "Like everyone, I like to go to the movies and listen to music and be with my friends, just to be at home and have dinner with people I love."

UPS AND DOWNS

Henin says she has loved the game since she was a young child and always wanted to be a professional.

"It was a dream when I was young, and it became a reality when I was 14 or 15 years old. When I won the French Open juniors (in 1997) I knew it was going to be my job," she said.

She has kept the same coach, Carlos Rodriguez, since she was a junior, and that stability has played a major role in supporting her since the death of her mother seven years ago.

"You need great support for sure, because it's difficult to arrive at the top alone," she said.

"I've been very lucky with my coach because I've worked with him for more than six years now, and it's really important when you're 14 or 15 because you're building for your future.

"I had up and downs for sure. Tennis wasn't the only thing in my life and I've had some problems in my personal life and it was sometimes difficult. Like when I lost my mum. But I always wanted to play tennis and never said 'it's over'.

"The tennis helped for sure, because when you do something you like it's easier to be happy in life. I've had some difficult moments, but I've been happy in my life and I've met some great people.

"Maybe tennis life is not real life, but it's very special. It's tough and I love it."