Belgian tennis player Justine Henin receives the ITF’s highest honor

The International Tennis Federation has awarded Justine Henin its highest honor, the Philippe Chatrier Award.

Henin won seven Grand Slam titles, Olympic gold and was part of the Belgian team that won the Fed Cup, now called the Billie Jean King Cup, in 2001.

The award, named after a former ITF president, was introduced in 1996 and recognizes people who have made a significant contribution to sport on and off the court.

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He was one of the best players of his generation on the court and since his retirement has made a significant and ongoing contribution to our sport at all levels, ITF President David Haggerty said on Saturday.

41-year-old Henin has founded a successful Academy in Belgium and a charity foundation that helps provide sports opportunities for disabled children.

The award will be presented on Saturday at the ITF World Champions Awards in London’s Victoria and Albert Museum.

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I always gave my best throughout my career and achieved a lot of success, Henin said. I have worked hard since retirement to give back to the sport I love and will continue to do so. Tennis is a unique and great sport that offers benefits to people’s physical and mental health.

Henin won the French Open four times, the US Open twice and the Australian Open once. He was runner-up at Wimbledon twice. He won Olympic gold at the Athens Games in 2004.