Justine Henin was conspicuously absent from last week’s Pacific Life Open for the second straight year, and while Ana Ivanovic took the top seed at the event and the title, Henin was not resting on her laurels. The Belgian, who maintains a commanding lead over her peers in the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour rankings, was in Florida getting set to open her second tennis academy, visiting the site just days before the Sony Ericsson Open.
The World No. 1 and her long-time coach Carlos Rodriquez are launching the 6th Sense Tennis Academy in Orlando.
The 6th Sense Tennis Academy will serve children (four years of age and older) and adults of all skill levels and will offer competitive opportunities as well as those of leisure.
The club will be based out of the Mission Inn Resort and Club in Howey-In-The-Hills, under the direction of Alain De Vos and is due to open in September 2008.
“They both have decided to extend their collaboration beyond their respective careers,” the academy’s website said of the partnership between Henin and Rodriguez.
“Through 6th Sense they want to bring the best out of any player, whether practicing or competing. They will be assisted by a team of highly motivated trainers who share their quality standards, their vision and core values.”
The 25-year-old opened her first tennis academy, “Club Justine N1,” in Limelette, Belgium last November. “N1” in French is pronounced as “Henin.”
The academy, located about 45 minutes outside of Brussels, is not only a sports club, but also boasts a gift shop and restaurant.
A very glammed-up Justine, clad in a white Armani suit, was on hand for the inauguration just before the Year End Championships last year.