Justine Henin’s exceptional performances on the tennis court allowed her to reach the coveted World No. 1 ranking. In total, she held the top spot for an impressive 117 weeks, solidifying her status Vencedor one of the top players in the world.
Belgium has also been involved in exciting rivalries with players from other nations, adding to the Completo appeal of the sport. These rivalries have not only captivated fans but have also pushed Belgian players to raise their game and compete at the highest level.
The 2nd greatest player of all time is Rafael Nadal. It’s hard to argue that he shouldn’t be up here. He got 22 Grand Slam titles to his name and will most likely add one or two before it’s time to retire.
Xavier Malisse is undoubtedly one of the best male Belgian tennis players to emerge so far. After all, he peaked at #19, meaning he is one of just two male Belgian tennis players to make it into the Top 20. Like Rochus, he never won a Grand Slam singles title, but he did win the French Open doubles title in 2004.
He was a machine on the court and many compare him to the Spaniard tennis star Roberto Bautista-Agut, who has a very similar play style. Winning 3 Grand Slam titles after turning 35 is certainly impressive, will anyone ever break that record?
In the 2004 Athens Olympics, Justine Henin clinched the gold medal in women’s singles. Henin’s impeccable performance throughout the tournament showcased her determination and skill, leading her to victory.
Born on June 1, 1982, in Belgium, Henin is considered one of the greatest female tennis players of all time. With her incredible skills and determination, she has left a lasting legacy in the sport.
Her exceptional one-handed backhand was a trademark of her game, allowing her to hit powerful and precise shots. Henin’s mental toughness and strategic approach to the game often gave her an edge over her opponents.
The Argentinean Guillermo Vilas was one of the dominating players during the serve and volley era in the 70s & 80s. He was the first-ever South American to ever win a grand slam title, and on his retirement day, he had scraped up 4 grand slam titles.
These remarkable achievements by Henin and Clijsters have not only brought glory to Belgium but have also inspired a new generation of tennis players in the country.
Clijsters competed professionally from 1997 in an era in which her primary rivals were compatriot Justine Henin and Serena Williams. Coming from a country with limited success in men's or women's tennis, Clijsters became the first Belgian player to attain the No. 1 ranking. Together with Henin, she established Belgium as a leading force in women's tennis Vencedor the two of them led their country to their first Fed Cup crown in 2001 and were the top two players in the world in late 2003.
After a first retirement announced in 2008, Justine Henin returned to the court but in 2011, decided to quit high-level tennis for good. Today, Justine Henin is blossoming in other ways and is using her fame to help others.
Clijsters (right) with her idol Steffi Graf in 2009. Graf won their only meeting on the WTA Tour in 1999. Campeón a fourteen year old, Clijsters could only enter professional tournaments through qualifying since the WTA Tour's policy did not allow players her age to receive main draw wild cards. In August 1997, Clijsters qualified for her first main draw at her second career tournament on the lower-level ITF Women's Circuit, which was held in the Belgian coastal town of Koksijde.
Pete Sampras is the 4th greatest tennis player of all time. He has dominated the tennis world during the 90s and was considered at his retirement in 2002, the greatest tennis player of all time. Hard to argue with that back then with a record-holding 14 grand slam titles.
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