AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 20, 2006

Justine Henin

THE MODERATOR: Questions for Justine, please.

JUSTINE HENIN-HARDENNE: Yeah, it's very good. I was a little bit scared about this match because I know she can be a dangerous player if you let her play, if you give her a lot of rhythm. That's what happened in the beginning of the match. But as soon as I started to mix it up a little bit more, I think I've been very consistent, pretty solid. So happy the way I won, yeah.

JUSTINE HENIN-HARDENNE: Very happy, yeah. They just told us two minutes before walking on court. So at the beginning, I think it was tough to get used to it because it's pretty different conditions. But I think it was much better for both of us and for the crowd also. It was very, very hot today. I have a lot of respect for Santoro and Gaudio after what they did in five sets. Because I think in this heat, it's very hard, yeah.

JUSTINE HENIN-HARDENNE: It was very humid. That was the hardest for both of us. It was pretty hot at the beginning and then started to cool down a little bit after one set. But you just have to get used to the lights and everything. It's a little bit faster. No wind. So good conditions, but when you played outdoor for couple of matches, you need a couple of games to get used to it.

JUSTINE HENIN-HARDENNE: It's tough to say. I think there is a rule and it's normal that there is a rule because that change everything during a match. I don't know what's the best for the players. But I'm sure that if they keep this rule, it means that it's probably better for the players this way. But I don't know.

JUSTINE HENIN-HARDENNE: Well, I don't know if -- yeah, I played her at the French Open and also here at the Australian Open a few years ago. So she's a dangerous player. She's very, very consistent. Very regular. Once in a year she's playing very well in a Grand Slam usually. So I think I played her in the fourth round or in the quarters here a few years ago. She has a game, very special game. She is playing a lot of slices, and that doesn't give too much rhythm. A lot of topspin in her forehand and a lot of slices on her backhand side. So I'll have to be very focused, very patient, and try to bend my game as I did today and better than I did in my last match (smiling).

JUSTINE HENIN-HARDENNE: I think I improved a lot in the last few weeks. You know, still a few weeks ago I didn't know if I was going to be able to come here in Australia with my hamstring problem. Now it's feeling great. I feel very lucky that I'm here, so I try to take the advantage of that. Just try to enjoy my game. I came here in Australia to play a lot of matches. That's what I have. Every match is bonus for me, when I get the chance to play another match. It's great for my confidence. It's very good to be back healthy on the courts. That makes a big difference. I feel I'm moving well. Just my shoulder is still bothering me a little bit, but I think that I'm pretty quick on the court so that's good.

JUSTINE HENIN-HARDENNE: That's not my -- I don't have to answer this question.

JUSTINE HENIN-HARDENNE: Yeah, my shoulder is sore from couple of -- now from the beginning of the tournament. I could feel it a little bit in the second set today just when I'm serving. But it's the kind of things you have to deal with, I think. Every player has a little problem in a Grand Slam in one match. So I think we know that very often, and I hope I'll be better next match.

JUSTINE HENIN-HARDENNE: The right one.

JUSTINE HENIN-HARDENNE: I played her, so for sure I saw one of her match.

JUSTINE HENIN-HARDENNE: No, I didn't watch her play. I didn't watch any match. I don't want to watch any match of anyone here. I just want to stay focused on myself. In the evenings I watch DVDs, but not tennis on TV.