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The one that got away

Justine Henin is enjoying an impressive comeback after a two-year absence © Getty Images

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• Profile: Justine Henin

"I knew that if Roger won, I would be in trouble, that I would have a little voice in my head telling me to come back."

In June 2009, Justine Henin watched Roger Federer win his 14th Grand Slam title, but more crucially, win the French Open, the one major title that still eluded him.

Having won the French Open four times, Henin is no stranger to success at Roland Garros, but like Federer back then, she is one title away from completing the set. Wimbledon - the only jewel missing in her already impressive crown.

Just a fortnight after former rival Kim Clijsters celebrated her comeback with victory at the 2009 US Open, Henin announced she would return to the tour in 2010.

Henin's second title of her so-called second career at the Unicef Open last week was her first grass-court title in three years. As well as the psychological advantage of heading into her first Wimbledon challenge in three years on the back of a win, there is an added boost.

The last time Henin won the title in 's-Hertogenbosch, she went on to reach the Wimbledon final. It was 2001, the year a 19-year-old Henin made her breakthrough on the WTA Tour. Having won her first WTA title earlier in the year, Henin had just broken into the world top ten for the first time and reached her first Grand Slam final.

There she met defending champion Venus Williams, who quite literally already had her name on the trophy - the Venus Rosewater Dish. Although five Grand Slam titles followed, Henin did not reach the final at the All England Club again until 2006, having won the title at Eastbourne for the first time the week previously.

Henin has reached the final at Wimbledon twice © Getty Images

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In the only final of the decade that did not involve one of the Williams sisters, Henin was a set up against Amelie Mauresmo before succumbing in three. But despite taking an early advantage in the match, Henin never believed in herself.

"I've had some opportunities at Wimbledon, but the biggest one had to be when I lost to Amelie Mauresmo in the 2006 final," she recalls. "I was a set up, but I never thought that I would win."

Henin's diminutive stature and playing style does not naturally suit playing on grass, but at the top of her game Henin dominated the sport and one of her greatest assets is her refusal to concede defeat. And now she believes she is capable of winning the one prize that still eludes her.

She is playing with style, with belief, and with passion, and while the Williams sisters may stand between her and the elusive Venus Rosewater Dish, few would bet against the seven-time Grand Slam champion adding her name to the roll of honour at the All England Club.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.