http://0rz.tw/162Lc Zen is Key to Top Tennis - Henin Friday, 29 June, 2007 What to do during a rain delay? It is an age-old problem here at Wimbledon. How long will the rain last? Should the players try to eat something, find somewhere to practise or simply relax? One person who has a fair amount of experience in weather-breaks is Justine Henin. The Belgian was forced off court in the latter stages of her third round victory over Elena Vesnina, for a rain break lasting just over one hour, but then strolled to victory on her return to court. So what is the secret of the perfect rain break? “The delay was the toughest part of the game today,” explained the confident number one seed. “I was waiting to see how long it would last to see whether I should have something to eat. "I did end up having something in the end because I’d obviously had breakfast very early today since I was first up on court. It can get tiring, having to wait patiently – but that’s good practice for me!” Patience is a virtue, or so the saying goes, and it is the kind of quality seldom seen among young tennis players. “I used to be so impatient,” said Henin. “Now that I have a little more maturity I can sit back and accept weather breaks. In 2001, when I had to wait to play the final against Venus on the Sunday, you wouldn’t believe the amount of nervous energy I burned up! "Nowadays I’m more Zen. It comes with age and maturity.” Over-eagerness can also be a problem before rain breaks even come. “The clouds put pressure on you,” she continued. “I looked up, saw them coming and for a second, I was desperate to get the break before they came. "But then I thought, ‘No, just remain calm’. In the past, I definitely tried to accelerate when the rain was coming, but now I just try to forget the elements, even things like the wind here. One point at a time…” Rain delays are one thing, but long weekends are another. After three matches and barely more than two cumulative hours of tennis, Queen Justine now finds herself with two-and-a-half days off before her fourth round tie against Switzerland’s Patty Schnyder. How will she deal with that “delay”? “The rest will do me good. I haven’t played much tennis here but I was a little tired after Eastbourne (where she beat defending Wimbledon Champion Amelie Mauresmo in a third-set tie-break). I’ve got training this afternoon and I’ll be playing every day. "Off the court, I’m watching Rome on DVD but I won’t see much of that tonight as the little monsters are coming!” The little monsters are of course her nieces and nephews. And since a very public reconciliation with her family prior to this year’s French Open, Henin has been much more Zen, on and off court. Written by Drew Lilley -- 大家也學Henin要Zen喔 --

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