Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
I have to go with Henin on this discussion. IMO, both of these girls are similar. They are smaller than many of the Amazons on tour today and both had great tactical minds. Hingis probably had the better tactical game, but Henin has more firepower.
With regard to careers, their careers are similar, both left too early, but I think Henin dealt with the advent of heavy hitting better than Hingis and was more effective.
From a career standpoint you have to give the nod to Henin who won 4 French titles.....it's the most greuling of the Slams to win and she was the least physically imposing girl on tour.
With regard to careers, their careers are similar, both left too early, but I think Henin dealt with the advent of heavy hitting better than Hingis and was more effective.
From a career standpoint you have to give the nod to Henin who won 4 French titles.....it's the most greuling of the Slams to win and she was the least physically imposing girl on tour.
I go with Henin.
Hingis is my idol as I started playing tennis after watching her but Henin did win more matches against more formidable opponents. Hingis did have the game to achieve greater things but I don't think anybody knows her for her hardwork, something Justine was revered for. Too many times in Hingis' career, was the word talent used, and that as we all saw wasn't enough. Henin on the other hand, moulded what she had into something that really worked.
Had Hingis conditioned herself better and won two titles that she really should've won ('99 Roland Garros and 2002 Australian Open), we'd be looking at a more illustrious carrer that would rival if not beat Serena Williams' and Henin's. But then maybe that would've seen her hang around longer, and not brought about the 2006 which WASN'T lame, but failed to achieve what she had really hoped for.
Lastly, just look at the way both left. Henin, ranked number one, Hingis surrounded by allegations. The end may be the end but it does add to how decorated the carrer was.
Hingis is my idol as I started playing tennis after watching her but Henin did win more matches against more formidable opponents. Hingis did have the game to achieve greater things but I don't think anybody knows her for her hardwork, something Justine was revered for. Too many times in Hingis' career, was the word talent used, and that as we all saw wasn't enough. Henin on the other hand, moulded what she had into something that really worked.
Had Hingis conditioned herself better and won two titles that she really should've won ('99 Roland Garros and 2002 Australian Open), we'd be looking at a more illustrious carrer that would rival if not beat Serena Williams' and Henin's. But then maybe that would've seen her hang around longer, and not brought about the 2006 which WASN'T lame, but failed to achieve what she had really hoped for.
Lastly, just look at the way both left. Henin, ranked number one, Hingis surrounded by allegations. The end may be the end but it does add to how decorated the carrer was.
Moose Malloy
G.O.A.T.
This really isn't a close call, as some have mentioned.
And I know the #1 ranking seems to be important in the mens game in recent years, but in the womens game?
Lindsay Davenport was #1 in 2004 & 2005 & won no majors. Hingis won no majors after 1999, yet was #1 for quite a few weeks after that time. How can anyone take stats involving #1 that seriously? Even Davenport sounded kinda embarassed when she finished #1 those years. So now Hingis's time at #1 is enough for some of you to put her above someone with 2 more majors than her?
I like Hingis, but let's be honest, she really had some luck in '97(the year she won 3 majors). In '96 Graf was the clear #1(won 3 majors), she got injured in '97, couldn't play much until late '98. Then she beats Hingis in the '99 FO final.
Henin had some luck as well(#1 Serena not being able to defend the '03 USO or '04 AO) but she made up for that with her spectacular '06 & '07 seasons.
As Cyborg said, Henin was more relevant for a longer period of time(meaning being a contender for majors)
And I'd bet that anyone playing the doubles card in this thread can't even name 2 current holders of doubles majors(men or women), without doing some research. Yeah doubles is so important. I'll remember that when the FO doubles finals this year are played in front of like 20 people, like they usually are.
Maybe if Hingis had some insane Mac-like record in doubles I could understand it being mentioned. But she didn't.
And I know the #1 ranking seems to be important in the mens game in recent years, but in the womens game?
Lindsay Davenport was #1 in 2004 & 2005 & won no majors. Hingis won no majors after 1999, yet was #1 for quite a few weeks after that time. How can anyone take stats involving #1 that seriously? Even Davenport sounded kinda embarassed when she finished #1 those years. So now Hingis's time at #1 is enough for some of you to put her above someone with 2 more majors than her?
I like Hingis, but let's be honest, she really had some luck in '97(the year she won 3 majors). In '96 Graf was the clear #1(won 3 majors), she got injured in '97, couldn't play much until late '98. Then she beats Hingis in the '99 FO final.
Henin had some luck as well(#1 Serena not being able to defend the '03 USO or '04 AO) but she made up for that with her spectacular '06 & '07 seasons.
As Cyborg said, Henin was more relevant for a longer period of time(meaning being a contender for majors)
And I'd bet that anyone playing the doubles card in this thread can't even name 2 current holders of doubles majors(men or women), without doing some research. Yeah doubles is so important. I'll remember that when the FO doubles finals this year are played in front of like 20 people, like they usually are.
Maybe if Hingis had some insane Mac-like record in doubles I could understand it being mentioned. But she didn't.
Moose Malloy
G.O.A.T.
This was posted on the TC website yesterday by Steve Flink(someone who actually does have a vote for the HOF)
Kaptain Karl
Hall Of Fame
One of the reasons I don't revere Sampras' record as much as many seem to is ... he wasn't competitive in Dubs. One of the reasons I think more highly of Serena's and Venus' records ... they are competitive in Dubs.
For me, being proficient in Singles AND Doubles makes for stronger bragging rights. This may not be the case for some of you. "Whatever floats your boat."
- KK
For me, being proficient in Singles AND Doubles makes for stronger bragging rights. This may not be the case for some of you. "Whatever floats your boat."
- KK
johnny ballgame
Professional
Not by much at all.
Hingis first slam Final: 1997
Hingis last slam Final: 2002
Henin first slam final: 2001
Henin last slam final: 2007
johnny ballgame
Professional
This is a subtle but important point to me. We're not talking about a doubles specialist who wins doubles slams. We're talking about a singles player who wins multiple singles slams. And while she competes in the singles slams, she also participates in the doubles at the same time. And she happens to win 9 doubles slams while doing so. That kind of thing is not common and deserves major props to me.
I agree with you, not many people can be brilliant at both and Hingis is a joy to watch on doubles court. But with the modern game being so physical, it doesn't make sense for a top player in contention for grand slams to be playing both singles and doubles. So, that could be the reason Henin focused on singles exclusively after 2002-2003. Even Hingis did the same in her comeback. After winning mixed title in Melbourne, she only entered doubles draw in a grand slam tournament once (again with Bhupati in Roland Garros '06) and even then, she pulled out because she had to play 3 days in a row (her R4 match against Peer was played over 2 days). Doesn't seem like she had much regards for doubles after all.
matchmaker
Hall of Fame
Henin, that's it. Although Hingis was a very talented player also.
I agree that Henin was the better player, but I disagree regarding doubles. That might hold water on the men's side but, in women's tennis, enough of the best play it at the majors for it to be given its due.
rfprse
Professional
It might be related to on which side of atlantic one lives. At least, the media coverage angle over her seemed that way for quite a while.
Even in her retirement, the tone of tribute articles seemed quite different depending whether it's from european or from u.s. media. Not so surprising or unusual, probably.
Regardless of your nationality I would think people could at least mention that Henin, despite being smaller than Hingis, was able to take on and beat the same power hitters who had prompted Hingis' first retirement from the game.
Regardless, pound for pound and shot for shot Justine Henin is the best female player the game has seen since Steffi Graf.
CyBorg
Legend
As already has been pointed out, Hingis was not a dominant player aside from that one year. Yeah, she had some Aussie Open success after that. Big deal.
rfprse
Professional
johnny ballgame
Professional
Hogwash. 200+ weeks at #1... what does one have to do to be considered a 'dominant player?'
What hasn't been mentioned yet is that Henin was NEVER a dominant player until maybe '06 and '07, but NEITHER of those years was as good as Hingis' best year.
boredone3456
G.O.A.T.
200+ weeks at number one is impressive, but how can you say Henin was not the most dominant women on tour the past 2 years? in 06 she made all 4 slam finals and last year after Wimbledon she didn't lose a single match, that is dominance at its best. Hingis was good, but outside of Australia she struggled, choked away quite a few majors, and was prone to breakdowns. Henin under pressure was far more consistant than Hingis in her prime ever was.
bluegrasser
Hall of Fame
Just curious, what's their head to head results?
Automatix
Legend
2-2 but it's a flimsy statistic because:
a) the two times that Hingis won was in the year 2000 and throughout that year Henin strugled with health issues...
b) the two times that Henin won were just after Hingis returned to the Tour so she had no practice, she wasn't really in the game yet...
So they actually never played each other at ohhh let's say even 75%...
a) the two times that Hingis won was in the year 2000 and throughout that year Henin strugled with health issues...
b) the two times that Henin won were just after Hingis returned to the Tour so she had no practice, she wasn't really in the game yet...
So they actually never played each other at ohhh let's say even 75%...
anointedone
Banned
What decent champion wouldnt have dominated a year where Amanda Coetzer and Iva Majoli both reached #3 in the world, and where almost 30-year old Jana Novotna was the year end #2.
Hingis was the most ridiculed #1 in history for over half of her reign. She certainly took full advantage of the pathetic WTA ranking system, but players were praying they were in her part of the draw instead of Venus, Lindsay, or Jennifer during much of that time. Her entire time at #1 in 2000 and 2001 was only as the computer #1, never the true #1.
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autumn_leaf
Hall of Fame
i think they have quite equal careers.
i don't find doubles particularly fun so i don't do it often. when i saw 9 slams though that was quite impressive.
i was surprised to see hingis with so many more weeks at #1 but both ending in #1 at 3 times each. that to me means they're equal in that field because if you're #1 in the end of the season that's all that matters.
i was just gonna call it for henin since she got a gold medal and that's always bragging rights in itself, but 9 dub slams, just damn....
it's sad that dubs don't get that much recognition. in the end i would say hingis purely for the fact that she did so well in dubs as in singles.
i don't find doubles particularly fun so i don't do it often. when i saw 9 slams though that was quite impressive.
i was surprised to see hingis with so many more weeks at #1 but both ending in #1 at 3 times each. that to me means they're equal in that field because if you're #1 in the end of the season that's all that matters.
i was just gonna call it for henin since she got a gold medal and that's always bragging rights in itself, but 9 dub slams, just damn....
it's sad that dubs don't get that much recognition. in the end i would say hingis purely for the fact that she did so well in dubs as in singles.
johnny ballgame
Professional
I thought I did, look at my post. I said Henin was not dominant until '06-'07.
Steffi-forever
Hall of Fame
The wins for Hingis and Justine again n°1 :
STEFFI GRAF
Hingis : 2
Henin : 0
MONICA SELES
Hingis : 15
Henin : 3
ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO
Hingis : 18
Henin : 0
LINDSAY DAVENPORT
Hingis : 11
Henin : 7
JENNIFER CAPRIATI
Hingis : 5
Henin : 5
VENUS WILLIAMS
Hingis : 11
Henin : 2
SERENA WILLIAMS
Hingis : 6
Henin : 6
KIM CLIJSTERS
Hingis : 4
Henin : 12
AMELIE MAURESMO
Hingis : 7
Henin : 8
MARIA SHARAPOVA
Hingis : 1
Henin : 6
HINGIS : 80 wins
HENIN : 49 wins
It probably doesn't mean anything because they wasn't all the time n°1 when they beat them, but these womans have been n°1 one day......
Hingis too beat Serena and Venus at the same grand slam event : Australian Open 2001, when the sisters were reaching their peak.
Anyways, you all love Henin and that's fine, but to me Hingis and Henin are equal... Don't forget that Hingis won her first major at 16 and become n°1 at 16!!!! Whatever the field was, this is extraordinary!
STEFFI GRAF
Hingis : 2
Henin : 0
MONICA SELES
Hingis : 15
Henin : 3
ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO
Hingis : 18
Henin : 0
LINDSAY DAVENPORT
Hingis : 11
Henin : 7
JENNIFER CAPRIATI
Hingis : 5
Henin : 5
VENUS WILLIAMS
Hingis : 11
Henin : 2
SERENA WILLIAMS
Hingis : 6
Henin : 6
KIM CLIJSTERS
Hingis : 4
Henin : 12
AMELIE MAURESMO
Hingis : 7
Henin : 8
MARIA SHARAPOVA
Hingis : 1
Henin : 6
HINGIS : 80 wins
HENIN : 49 wins
It probably doesn't mean anything because they wasn't all the time n°1 when they beat them, but these womans have been n°1 one day......
Hingis too beat Serena and Venus at the same grand slam event : Australian Open 2001, when the sisters were reaching their peak.
Anyways, you all love Henin and that's fine, but to me Hingis and Henin are equal... Don't forget that Hingis won her first major at 16 and become n°1 at 16!!!! Whatever the field was, this is extraordinary!
grafrules
Banned
Someone ranking Sharapova and even Mauresmo above Henin.
Just when you think you have seen the limits of madness around here they reach new heights altogether.
CEvertFan
Hall of Fame
Someone ranking Sharapova and even Mauresmo above Henin.
LOL, agreed.
illusions30
Banned
Better career is clearly Henin. 7 slams to 5, no career slam for either, Olympic Gold for Henin, 2 WTA Championships for both, 3 year end #1s for both although one of Hingis's 3 was a bit of a joke.
Neither had great longevity, but Henin comes out ahead there.
Dominance? Hingis in 97 was similarily dominant to Henin of 2007, with Hingis winning a 3rd slam giving her the slight edge. However Henin dominated 2003-early 2004 too winning 3 slams and most tournaments she was in, so had two periods of dominance split apart, unlike Hingis who only had 1 year of dominance. Henin also had a year like 2006 reaching all 4 slam finals and winning the WTA Championships, plus 8 titles preceding her dominant 2007. So overall Henin was more dominant.
Consistency? Both were quite good, not amazing here. Probably Henin the slight edge again.
Hingis's only real edge career wise is doubles.
Neither had great longevity, but Henin comes out ahead there.
Dominance? Hingis in 97 was similarily dominant to Henin of 2007, with Hingis winning a 3rd slam giving her the slight edge. However Henin dominated 2003-early 2004 too winning 3 slams and most tournaments she was in, so had two periods of dominance split apart, unlike Hingis who only had 1 year of dominance. Henin also had a year like 2006 reaching all 4 slam finals and winning the WTA Championships, plus 8 titles preceding her dominant 2007. So overall Henin was more dominant.
Consistency? Both were quite good, not amazing here. Probably Henin the slight edge again.
Hingis's only real edge career wise is doubles.
M
monfed
Guest
Nod to Hingis coz she's about 134134x hotter. 
PDJ
G.O.A.T.
Sound reasoning to me- Hingis gets the nod.
ScentOfDefeat
G.O.A.T.
Nod to Hingis coz she's about 134134x hotter.
Her teeth/gums ruin the whole package, to be honest. There's something about her that reminds me of a leach. Unlike Rick Leach, the doubles player, who looks like a Swiss white chocolate bar.
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