Henin Sets Sights on First Laureus Award

She put together the richest season in Sony Ericsson WTA Tour history last year, and so it should come as no surprise that Justine Henin be nominated for one of the most prestigious awards in the entire sports world.
 
Following a season that saw her win 10 titles, which includes two Grand Slams (Roland Garros and US Open) and the season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships, the No.1-ranked Henin was one of six athletes given the nod for Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year, alongside Swedish track and field star Carolina Kluft, Australian swimmer Libby Lenton, Mexican golf star Lorena Ochoa, Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva and Brazilian soccer player Marta.
 
Not only was Henin the clear-cut No.1 at the end of 2007, but she also became the first female tennis player to earn more than $5 million in prize money in a single season - earning $5,429,586 - on the strength of a year that saw her win 63 of 67 matches. The previous record holder was Henin's countrywoman Kim Clijsters, who earned $4,446,345 during the 2003 Tour season.
 
"Impossible is nothing and I proved it again this year," said Henin after her win at the Sony Ericsson Championships. "It was a very difficult season but I remained very positive and grew up a lot. A lot of things happened in my life that fueled my tennis more than ever. I have no hesitations to say it was the best season in my career so far, even if it was one of the most difficult."
 
Henin is aiming to become the third tennis player to receive the award, following Jennifer Capriati and Serena Williams, who won in 2001 and 2002, respectively.
 
Another female tennis player who may walk away an award winner on February 18 in St. Petersburg is Dutchwoman Esther Vergeer. Nominated for the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability award, Vergeer - whose career highlights include a 512-25 win-loss record and 232 titles, 123 in singles and 109 in doubles - is trying to become the first tennis player to win in the category.
 
Other tennis players up for awards are Roger Federer, who goes for his fourth straight Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, and Novak Djokovic, who will go for the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year award.
 
One week ago the nominations were announced for the prestigious annual awards in London, after a ballot was completed by members of the world's media. This week it was announced that the 2008 Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony would be held and televised Monday, February 18 at the Mariinsky Concert Hall in St. Petersburg, Russia. For more information, go to www.laureus.com.