March 8, 2016 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Former world number ones Justine Henin and Marat Safin will headline the 2016 International Tennis Hall of Fame field, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced on Tuesday.
Henin finished the year-end number one on three different occasions, holding the top ranking for a total of 117 weeks. Known for her one-handed backhand, the Belgian won seven Grand Slam titles and 43 WTA titles overall. She also led Belgium to the Olympic Gold medal in 2004 and led them to the nation’s first Fed Cup title in 2001.
Safin was a two-time Grand Slam champion who became the first Russian man to win the U.S. Open back in 2000, beating American Pete Sampras in the final. He held the number one ranking for nine weeks and went on to defeat Lleyton Hewitt in the 2005 Australian Open final. Safin also led Russia to Davis Cup titles in 2002 and 2006.
Yvon Petra, who was a prominent French player in the 1940s, and Margaret Scriven, a British champion in the 1930s, will be inducted posthumously in the Master Player Category.
Henin and Safin are the first players from their respective countries to be enshrined in the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
