Mauresmo wins first Grand Slam title

Amélie Mauresmo won her first Grand Slam title Saturday, defeating Justine Henin-Hardenne before the Belgian retired in the second set of the Australian Open final because of stomach pain. The out Mauresmo won the first set 6–1 and was leading 2–0 in the second when Henin-Hardenne walked to the net and told the chair umpire she could not continue.

It ended a frustrating seven-year wait for Mauresmo, who lost the final here to Martina Hingis in 1999 and had not reached another Grand Slam championship match since. Mauresmo had the second-longest wait for her first major title in the Open era, taking 32 Grand Slam tournaments to win a final. Jana Novotna won Wimbledon in 1998 in her 45th major.

"It's been such a long time, and yet I still don't know what to say," Mauresmo said. "All the people that still believed in me—after seven years it's a long time. Not only myself, but people who're working with me, believed me and pushed me, even when I was down. Maybe we found the way, maybe we'll try to keep going."

Henin-Hardenne held for the only time in the sixth game, when Mauresmo drilled a forehand just wide down the line. She surrendered the first set in 33 minutes on consecutive forehand errors. She was only getting 29% of her first serves in. Mauresmo broke serve and then held again to lead 2–0 in the second before Henin-Hardenne called for the trainer.

Henin-Hardenne complained of stomach pain and played only two more points before quitting the match. "I was feeling so sick, and I couldn't stay longer on the court," Henin-Hardenne said. "I'm feeling very disappointed to end the tournament this way. I'm sorry I couldn't find a little bit more. I want to say congratulations to Amélie, she has waited so long to get her first Grand Slam title."

It was the second consecutive match and third in the tournament that an opponent has retired with illness or injury against Mauresmo. Michaella Krajicek retired with heat stress in the third round, and second-seeded Kim Clijsters retired after turning her ankle early in the third set of their semifinal on Thursday.

Henin-Hardenne, who has four Grand Slam singles titles and was on a 13-match winning streak at Melbourne Park, burst into tears when she reached a courtside chair after quitting the match.

Mauresmo spoke to her at the net, then walked back on court and waved both arms to the crowd, choking back tears of emotion. "I was very in control, I didn't let the emotions end this time," said Mauresmo. "I thought this could be my day, this could be the moment for me."

Storms outside produced the only real thunder of the match. The roof was closed on Rod Laver Arena, trapping a number of birds inside, and they chirped loudly throughout the match.

Henin-Hardenne had been a slow starter in the last two rounds, dropping the first set against both Lindsay Davenport in the quarterfinals and Maria Sharapova in the semis before rallying. It looked to be the same against Mauresmo as the Belgian dropped 19 of the first 24 points, committing a rash of mistakes.

Mauresmo broke for the second time, setting up break point with a let court that dribbled over the net, and Henin-Hardenne couldn't get back even though she was standing right there. Shouts of "Come on, Justine!" erupted from the crowd, but Mauresmo held to make it 5–0, fending off the only break point that she faced. Henin-Hardenne finally held in the next game to pull to 5–1, sparking a loud ovation and suggestions that she might be pulling herself together.

But as the match wore on, Mauresmo seemed to sense that her opponent was off her game or injured. She was increasingly content just to keep the ball in play until Henin-Hardenne made a mistake.

There were only six combined winners in the eight games and 31 unforced errors, 20 by Henin-Hardenne. Her shoulders repeatedly slumped after missing shots that she normally would have been smacking for winners. Mauresmo sat and hung her head, seemingly stunned and overwhelmed. She finally got up and raised her arms in triumph as French flags fluttered in the stands, still looking less than triumphant as Henin-Hardenne wept. (AP)

Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

Be the first to comment on this story.

If you would like to submit a comment for posting, please fill out the form above.

All comments submitted via this form are subject to posting or publication. (To send a private letter to an Advocate editor or writer, please use the e-mail button at the top of the page, or use snail mail.) If you would like your comment considered for publication in The Advocate magazine, please include your full name, your city of residence, and a phone number where you can be reached during business hours so that we can confirm your identity. Your e-mail address and telephone number are strictly confidential and will not be shared or used for any purpose other than to contact you about your comment.

See the Contact page for sending comments for reasons other than responding to Advocate editorial and news stories.

Please note that comments sent by fax or snail mail are unlikely to be posted, although they will be considered for publication along with all letters received via e-mail or via this Web page. Comments that chiefly concern Advocate.com content will be considered for posting only on the Web site. The Advocate reserves the right to edit submitted comments for grammar, spelling, obscenities, or libel; we will, however, do our best to preserve the original comment's style and intent. Comments considered for publication in The Advocate magazine may also be edited for length.

More Exclusives

View From the Hill: The End of DADT?
Defense Secretary Robert Gates revealed that lawyers are exploring ways to ease enforcement of the military's gay ban, but cautioned that the law doesn't leave much wiggle room. He need look no further than DOD history for a lesson in altering the policy.

Hot Sheet: Week of July 5
When you get back from that big 4th of July barbecue, unwind with Sacha Baron Cohen's Bruno and your favorite B-movie-mocking, basic cable robots.

Hungry Like the Wolf
A master of viola, ukulele, piano, and harp, Patrick Wolf is a music prodigy -- one who, the night before this interview, spit on a cop and got himself arrested.

Soapside: Advocate's Guide to Daytime
Forbes March talks about playing gay, Otalia fans outraged, update on One Life to Live’s Patricia Maurceri’s firing over gay plot point, Phillip Chancellor III big reveal, and Erica Kane goes to Africa.

The Faces of Federal Prop. 8
With the federal challenge to Prop. 8 moving full speed ahead, Advocate.com sits down with the two couples named as plaintiffs in the suit.

Mommy, the Gays Are Coming
After a year of advancements and celebration for gay and lesbian Colombians, the community takes to the streets of Bogota for the country's biggest pride ever.

The Pride of Antwerp
Advocate.com hits the gay-friendly streets of Antwerp with openly gay police commissioner Serge Muyters.

Excerpt: Mean Little Deaf Queer
In an excerpt from her humorous and harrowing new memoir, Mean Little Deaf Queer, Terry Galloway recalls her early childhood, describing feelings of ugliness, confusion about gender, and being one of the boys.

Top Political Blogs
From Joe.My.God to The Daily Beast, Advocate.com spotlights a few of the best blogs that cover politics, inside and way outside the Beltway.

The Diva of French Television
A hot young screenwriter who has made gay OK for millions of French viewers, Nicolas Mercier sips champagne, dons a feathered hat, and says he wants to see Colin Farrell and Jude Law go at it.