Justine Henin targets 'shock' Australian Open win

Belgium's Justine Henin believes a shock Australian Open win is "possible" after her brief retirement, and warned she would be a better player when she returns to the circuit next week.

Seven-times Grand Slam champion Henin said a more mature, relaxed outlook would help her improve on the performances that took her to women's number one before her surprise decision to retire in May 2008.

"I believe I can be a better player, I believe I can use my experience more than in the past," she said. "When you are (playing at) 200 per cent you have no time to realise it.

"You are too involved all the time, and all this time off helped me to realise everything I achieved. What I can say is I know myself much better and that's the most important thing.

"It's been a great experience to go out of the tennis world for 18 months and to come back because I feel I grew up.

"I really needed to come out of this bubble. The tennis world is a small world. There are so many things around that and I never realised that before.

"To come back to my passion, to what I love so much, after this part of my life is such a great feeling.

"I'm 27, now I just want to live my second career differently to how I did in the past."

Henin announced her return to the circuit in September, shortly after compatriot Kim Clijsters won the US Open following a similar comeback.

Henin will play her first WTA event at next week's Brisbane International and will also play in Sydney before the Australian Open, which starts on January 18.

Asked if she could pull off victory in Melbourne, she replied, "Anything is possible."

Henin has won a total of 41 WTA Tour titles and held the number one spot for a total of 117 weeks.