adidas presented two of the most dominating female tennis players from two generations to celebrate the special history they share: Justine Henin-Hardenne and Steffi Graf met for the first time ever to bring to life their inspiring “Impossible is Nothing” story at the Centre National d’Entrainament (CNE) in Paris.
Justine Henin-Hardenne’s inspiring story was a part of the “Impossible is Nothing” brand campaign adidas launched in 2004. When Justine was only 10 years old, she saw her childhood idol Steffi Graf play at the 1992 Roland Garros final. Still during the match, Justine turned to her mother and said that “one day I will play here and win.” Now, at age 22, she is one of the most successful and dominating tennis players of her generation. She has already three Grand Slam titles, including Roland Garros in 2003, and reached the top ranking to make her own “Impossible is Nothing” story come true.
“‘Impossible is Nothing’ means to me that you have to believe in what you do and you have to believe in the people around you. Being the No. 1 tennis player in the world seemed impossible to me at first. But then step by step I started to realize that when I give everything I have, I can reach my goals and the promise I made – and I did,” Justine Henin-Hardenne said.
Seven years after Justine Henin-Hardenne made her promise at Roland Garros, Steffi Graf walked back on the same court in 1999 to reach for the crown one more time. After fighting off injuries and all odds, she captured her sixth title at Roland Garros and her 22 Grand Slam title in total. “To win the French Open in 1999 was my personal 'Impossible is Nothing' story. It was quite a challenge and looking back- very special moment in my career. “
Now, in 2005, adidas brings together these two exceptional athletes and Olympic gold medal winners to meet face-to-face in a friendly mixed doubles and celebrate their achievements and the story they both share. They will play on the same court that saw the end of an astonishing and unmatched Grand Slam career and years later witnessed the beginning of a new career.
adidas has been an official sponsor of Roland Garros since 1973. The relationship between the two partners has grown over the past 30 years, including an introduction of the first licensed adidas Roland Garros product lines in both footwear and apparel that launched in 2001. In addition, 2005 Australian Open Champion Marat Safin, Asian tennis sensation Paradorn Srichaphan as well as Tim Henman and Nadia Petrova are part of the adidas tennis family.
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