MELBOURNE – Justine Henin applied some subtle pressure to Denmark’s top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki by saying she would be much happier winning a Grand Slam than by being world number one.
A growing number of questions have been aimed at Wozniacki in the build-up to the Australian Open after the 20-year-old Dane became the latest woman to top the rankings without a major title. While Wozniacki has played down her lack of success at the big four,seven-time major winner Henin, who could meet the Dane in the quarter-finals here, said nothing compared to winning a Grand Slam.
“I’ve been thinking about that over the last few days and if I have to remember something, it wasn’t really that I was the best player in the world, but it’s all the Grand Slams I won,” Henin said. “That’s what gives really the emotions.” If Wozniacki is troubled by the speculation, she is hiding it well. Similar doubts were also raised about former number ones Jelena Jankovic and Dinara Safina, who are both still without a major title.
“I don’t feel I need to prove anything to anybody,” Wozniacki said earlier. “You don’t become number one winning small tournaments or doing bad results. “You know, I’m a good player, I’ve done great results. I won six tournaments last year. I don’t have to prove anything.” However, Henin pointed out that the year she reached the summit of the game she also wontwo Grand Slams, underlining her status as the top women’s player.
