Justine was my fav to win this season's Aussie Open but with her absence, I'm solidly behind Serena who started off wonderfully well in her first match.

Can't agree with you on missing Justine, well, I guess I can, just in terms of the added drama she would bring to the tournament but I'm not a huge fan of her style and I know this may be controversial to some but also her "gamesmanship".

Regarding Serena, absence does make the heart grow fonder, couldn't have given two hoots about her a year and a half ago but seeing her back now and watching some of her old matches on Youtube makes you realise just how talented she is and how the game misses her when she ain't on form.

I admire Justine's determination to win. She's small but stands out against her bigger opponents. One has to be determined to excel in anything and along the line, enemies are bound to be made. With respect to J's haters, she doesn't care about making friends but cares about winning. The caring about winning makes the game interesting.

It's wonderful to watch Serena at her best and when she's determined to win. Actually, she and her sister roused my interest in Tennis and I've been their fan since I started following the game.

It's great to see Serena back doing what she does best. She played well today, from the stats on Eurosports and I do hope she maintains the tepmo.

I cant stand the girl I have to admit and its well documented but she is in my opinion the worlds best female tennis player without a doubt.She has so much talent!And for that I respect her!

Please no one repeat me but I also miss justine. Banana Jankovic to win.!!!!!!!

I wouldnt put any hopes on serena, petrova will consume her. :D

I never heard of a Justine fan who would like to see Serena win a tournament. The infamous hand incident must be out of peoples minds. I dont miss Justine at all, we might actually see play in this years final

i could live with or without henin-hardenne.

but she is all-around the best female tennis player right now.

I totally agree! Never liked her, she just dosen't have a nice character!

I always want to see the very very best tennis players in these tournaments. So I will miss Justine as well. ;) I don't care about her personality.

I really liked Justine when she first really made her name for herself on the tour.. But for some reason, I've cooled off on her in the last year or so. I used to like her little 'allez's but they are a little too frequent now. but I don't dislike her; I'd like to warm to her more again :)

I really used to like the way that the little Belgian stood up to the power hitters, and found that really refreshing.. but pair her up with Kim Clijsters and the matches are generally poor.. I just remember those finals in 2003 being a real let-down. :(

I do think that it's a real shame that she's not in the AO, as she has one of the most gorgeous backhands in the game, bar none :bow: and is imo undeniably the best all-court player in the women's game right now..

When did character have squat to do with tennis. I dislike henin but not enough to see her not in a tournament. The only difference is you cant make secure bets.

I think the Tournament is definitely A LOT poorer for not having Justine in it.

If anyone had withdrawn from the USO it would've been a shame but they wouldn't have been missed too much, I feel. Was Kim missed THAT much even as defending champion? It was so wide open anyway, there were so many great competitors.

With the AO I feel that Justine will be greatly missed because of her status as the newly established number one and her phenomenal run of form at the YECs. We were expecting great things from her here. It does blow the field wide open, but at the same time taking away the number one isn't good.

Though it may seem impracticable because of her lack of matches, I'll love to see Serena win if she plays well. Justine would have been my favourite but since she isn't playing, someome else has to have my support and that person is definitely SERENA B)