Henin is able to hit both a kick and a slice on her second serve. The other players on the tour commonly use the slice but few are able to hit the kick (top-spin) serve with real effectiveness.

Most female players shy away from using the kick serve. When it is not well executed it tends to 'stand up' and asks to be attacked.

Henin, however, hits the serve so well that she is able to move her opponent right outside the court, particularly when serving from the left court.

Once she has pushed her opponent outside the court she is able to attack into the space.