Tennis fans are in for a treat after footage of Serena Williams venting her frustrations to Justine Henin during the 2007 US Open quarter-finals has resurfaced.
In 2007, Williams and Henin faced off in the quarter-finals of the French Open and Wimbledon Championships, with the Belgian winning both encounters. The pair’s rivalry continued at the U.S. Open, with Henin winning again in the quarterfinals, winning 7-6(3), 6-1 to take her second at the New York Major. championship title.
The match took a dramatic turn when Henin, who was leading 2-0 in the second set, stunned the 23-time Grand Slam champion with a brilliant pass. As Serena Williams prepared to return the former world number one’s next serve, she was filmed saying “b*tch” to the Belgian, clearly expressing her frustration.
One fan posted footage of the incident on social media and expressed surprise that it was included in the game’s highlights.
“Rewatching 2007 (QF) I’m surprised they left this game out haha. It was two games into the second set that Henin dominated. Such an incredible performance from an incredible era Competition,” the fan wrote.
One fan claimed that Serena Williams expressed her anger in a similar manner on multiple occasions when confronting Henin. The fan also said it might be frustrating for Americans to be outclassed by players “half her size.”
“This isn’t the only time she’s been caught on camera calling Justin a ‘b*tch’ during a game. It must have been incredibly frustrating for Serena, who had all the power, to be defeated by someone half her size,” the a fan commented.
Meanwhile, one fan expressed how much they miss the 23-time Grand Slam Champions Tour winner, while another called out the players for reigniting a “feud” at the tournament.
“I miss Serena,” one fan posted.
Another fan chimed in: “Lmao love it, bringing back the hate and keeping the competition strong.”
Here are some fan reactions:
A look at Serena Williams and Justine Henin’s Grand Slam rivalry
Serena Williams and Justine Henin have one of the fiercest rivalries on the WTA Tour. Williams has an 8-6 record in their head-to-head meetings, while Henin has a 4-3 record in Grand Slam meetings.
The Americans met for the first time at the 2001 U.S. Open and won 7-5, 6-0. Their second meeting at a Grand Slam took place in the 2003 French Open semi-finals, with the Belgian defeating the former world number one in a controversial match before going on to win her first Grand Slam. Champion.
However, the American got revenge in the 2003 Wimbledon semifinals, winning 6-3, 6-2. Henin then won three consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinals in 2007, as well as wins at the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.
Serena Williams, meanwhile, won their last Grand Slam match at the 2010 Australian Open final, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.