MADRID, Nov 6: The miraculous coincidence which brought the restoration of Justine Henin’s family relationships has also helped the preparation of her title defence at the season-ending WTA Championships which started here on Tuesday.

The world number one from Belgium has recuperated over the past fortnight at her home in Monte Carlo where she was visited by her brother David, whose car accident led in May to the family rapprochement which had for so long since seemed unlikely.

It happened after Henin had been advised to see an asthma specialist at a Lihge hospital, but it was the same hospital in which her mother died, and initially Henin baulked. After learning that David was there in a coma however she changed her mind.

As he recovered consciousness he saw his sister, whom he had observed growing up only on TV, walk in.

For the first time in eight years the four siblings were together, and soon afterwards father Jose, with whom Henin’s family bust-up first ignited, was re-united with her at the hospital too.

Last month the family were spending time together again. —AFP