PARIS - Since bursting on to the scene by reaching the 2001 French Open semi-finals as a 19-year-old, Justine Henin has built a reputation as one of the most talented yet enigmatic sportswomen.

Belgium's Justine Henin reacts after defeating Serbia's Ana Ivanovic in the women's final match at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris June 9, 2007. [Reuters]

Possessing a breathtaking backhand that most people could only dream about, she had tennis purists drooling because, in the era where power tennis ruled, she bucked the trend with her effortless classical style.

Outside her job on the tennis courts of the world, however, her life was a closed book -- that was until her four-year marriage to Pierre-Yves Hardenne broke down earlier this year.

Since returning to the tour after skipping the Australian Open to sort out her personal life, she seems to have acquired a free spirit.

Topics that were once off limits -- like her estrangement from her father Jose and three siblings -- were animatedly being discussed.

After patching up her differences with her family three months ago, it came as little surprise when the emotions just spilled out on Saturday once she had secured her third successive, and fourth overall, French Open crown.

It was the first time her brothers David and Thomas and sister Sarah had witnessed one of her triumphs from the stands. Her father Jose wished her luck from back home.

"I wanted this victory so much," said the 25-year-old, who dedicated her 6-1 6-2 win over Serb Ana Ivanovic to her family.

'HUGE STEP'

"It's been a huge step in my life in the last few months. I was glad I could give them this victory because everyone suffered a lot from the situation in the last few years.

"Today, finally, we are united in this joy, and we can share this moment, and it's great. I feel so happy that I can offer that to them."

Having lost her mother as a 12-year-old, she also felt her mother was smiling down at her for offering the olive branch to her family.

"Everything I lived in the last few months, ups and downs, good things, bad things, I just realised that it's life. You have to accept it and you just have to deal with it.

"It's been tough but I've been a little bit surprised how well I could handle the situation."

While her off-court situation might have been tough to handle, on court she had no such worries.

Winning the title without dropping a set for the second successive year, she became the fifth woman since 1925 to win the French title four or more times, joining greats Chris Evert, Steffi Graf, Margaret Court and Helen Wills Moody.

"This is like my garden. I just feel at home over here," said Henin, who took her total grand-slam titles tally to six.

"When I was a little girl I dreamt about coming here and winning it. I've now done it four times, and three times in a row, and two times without losing a set. It's just great."