Justine Henin, Marat Safin to be Inducted Into Tennis Hall of Fame
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Justine Henin, Marat Safin to be Inducted Into Tennis Hall of Fame
"It's a big honor. I was five years old when I started playing tennis and my dream was to become a champion. All of the things that then happened- all the dreams that came true, all the victories and Grand Slams, and every emotion that I lived in my tennis career remains something very important in my life today. Being part of the Hall of Fame says that it will remain something forever, and that is very special. I am really honored," said Henin.
Safin added, "I'm very happy to be inducted to the Hall of Fame. I want to say thank you to everyone who helped me and supported me throughout my tennis career. To be part of a Hall of Fame is every athlete's dream. I am really honored to be inducted and proud to represent Russian tennis alongside the greatest champions of tennis history."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTJustine Henin
Henin was the world number 1 for 117 weeks and the year-end number one on three occasions, 2003, 2006, and 2007.
Henin won 7 Grand Slam singles titles, including 4 French Open, 2 US Opens and an Australian Open Title.
Henin won 43 singles titles in total, including 10 WTA Tour Tier 1/Premier Mandatory & Premier 5 titles.
Her career record stands at 525-115.
Marat Safin
Safin won his first major title at the 2000 US Open, defeating Pete Sampras. He is the only Russian man to have won the title.
He went on to win the 2005 Australian Open with a victory over Lleyton Hewitt, defeating then world number 1 Roger Federer in a five set match.
Safin won 15 singles titles and holds a career record of 422-267.
Other Inductees
Two players will inducted under the Master Player Category at the 2016 ceremonies.
The two players are Yvon Petra, a Wimbledon champion in 1946 and Margaret Scriven, a 1933 French National Champion.
Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
The 2016 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is set for Saturday, July 16 at 12 p.m.
Tennis Hall of Fame: Final Day Action
Rajeev Ram, repeated his 2009 run to the cup. He defeated a big serving Ivo Karlovic
Brett Haber informs Rajeev Ram he has jumped to 86 in the ATP rankings and is in to the US Open
A gracious yet determined Karlovic says he will be back!
Each year in July the USTA honors 2 tennis players with the Bill Talbert Sportsmanship Award. This year Star Makarome age 18 of Wesley Chapel, Florida was at the Hall of fame to collect her award Star will be attending Columbia University i the fall. Star was honored for her outstanding sportsmanship on and off the court. She was presented her plate by Hall of Famers Donald Dell and Stan Smith.
Presented annually by the Board of Directors of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, the four recipients are selected from the 17 sectional nominations of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Awards Committee.
Each award winner must be a junior player who exemplifies the finest qualities of sportsmanship in tournament play as well as one who maintains the finest traditions of the great sportsmen/women of tennis, past and present. The award is given in honor of 1967 Hall of Famer Bill Talbert, who was highly regarded for his high standards of sportsmanship.
Contributor Nancy Jeffet, President Emeritus of the Maureen Connolly Brinker Foundation
