Safin, Henin inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame

From left, Marat Safin, of Russia, Amelie Mauresmo, of France, and Justine Henin, of Belgium, participate in a news conference prior to their enshrinement ceremony at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Saturday, July 16, 2016, in Newport, R.I. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) (The Associated Press)

prev next

Amelie Mauresmo, of France, speaks during an interview at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Saturday, July 16, 2016, in Newport, R.I. prior to her induction ceremony. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) (The Associated Press)

Marat Safin, of Russia, speaks during an interview at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Saturday, July 16, 2016, in Newport, R.I. prior to his induction. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) (The Associated Press)

NEWPORT, R.I. – Marat Safin and Justine Henin have been inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Newport's grass courts.

They were presented by Hall of Famers Jimmy Connors and Monica Seles.

Connor called Safin "emotional and played with passion. That's what drew me to him."

Seles touched on Henin's classic one-handed backhand, saying "without question one of the signature shots in tennis history. To be honest, I hated it."

Safin is the first player inducted into the hall from Russia, and Henin is the first from Belgium.

Amelie Mauresmo, inducted last year, was also honored Saturday. She missed the ceremony in 2015 ahead of the birth of her first child.