Justine Henin may not have played a professional tennis match in nearly five years, but not even motherhood can stop this former No.1 from putting her racquet down forever.

Henin won seven major titles before officially retiring in 2008, but showed the world what she was made of in an ultimately short-lived second career two years later, one that brought her back to the finals of the Australian Open and renewed rivalries with current No.1 Serena Williams and countrywoman Kim Clijsters.

“Kim and I were No.1 and No.2 at the same time. We played Grand Slam finals; we won Grand Slams. We grew up together; we played the same tournaments from nine years old,” she said in an interview with CNN Open Court.

“I always say that if there wasn’t Kim, I wasn’t sure if I would have been the same player.”

Henin stepped away from the sport for a second time in 2011, electing to focus on family life – giving birth to a daughter in 2013 – and working with the children who play at her eponymous academy, which has been open for nearly a decade.

“I work for the kids; I try to share my experience and try to give some messages,” explained the Belgian, who was recently nominated for the International Hall of Fame alongside Helena Sukova.

“The Hall of Famers are individuals who I have admired from the time I was a young girl, throughout my career, and to this day. To be nominated for induction into this group and to have my career recognized in this way is a great honor, and I thank the committee for the nomination.”

Check out Henin’s full interview with CNN Open Court below: