Justine Henin spoke of her excitement as she prepares to compete at Roland Garros for the first time in three years.
Former French queen preparing for long-awaited return
Former French Open champion Justine Henin spoke of her excitement as she prepares to compete at Roland Garros for the first time in three years.
The Belgian four-time winner was the undisputed clay queen before hanging up her racquet shortly before the 2008 event.
And Henin, a winner in 2003, '05, '06 and '07, is the bookies' favourite to add to her tally at this year's showpiece.
Asked whether she feels like the defending champion heading into the event, Henin said: "It's three years since I won the title here. So, no, I don't have this feeling.
Great
"It's just great to be back. But a lot of things have changed, I would say.
"I come to play the second Grand Slam since I'm back, so there are a lot of things to deal with."
The Belgian is nevertheless relishing being back on familiar ground.
"It's a strange feeling, but it's very good," said Henin, who will play Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova in round one.
"When we were driving last night to Paris, and then this morning to the site with my tennis bag, it was just great.
"And to play on this clay court again, it's something I couldn't expect.
"It's a great feeling - a lot of great memories are coming, and a lot of emotions.
"It's been a place where I lived so many things. And it's just a great feeling to be back."
Henin, seeded 22nd for the event, arrives in Paris in good form, having won her first title since coming out of retirement in Stuttgart earlier this month.
That was despite a broken finger on her left hand, which is still troubling her.
"It's already a month since I broke my finger, and still two or three more weeks with the splint," the 27-year-old said.
"I hope it's going to be okay. It's less painful now - I can deal with it. I'm used to playing with it.
"I'm lucky I have a one-handed backhand and it's my left hand. I'm feeling almost 100 per cent with that."
Special
Number six seed and defending champion Svetlana Kuznetsova will attempt to retain her title on the back of a disappointing 2010.
The Russian, who plays Sorana Cirstea first up, said of taking to the court as champion: "In one way it's less pressure, in another way it's more pressure."
"You have more that you have to defend, you have to play well, but then less pressure because you've done it already.
"I didn't think about doing well this year. I already have this title, so you cannot take my name off there.
"I just want to perform well, and it always brings me something special when I play at Roland Garros."
