Elbow rules out Henin until 2011

(PA)

Former World No 1 Justine Henin will be sidelined for the rest of the year as she recovers from an elbow injury.

Henin has not played since suffering a partial ruptured ligament of her right elbow at Wimbledon and, while the 28-year-old Belgian expects to resume light training in October, she will not return to competitive action until next year.

"I'm doing everything required by my medical team to get a good recovery of the injury I had at Wimbledon," said Henin, who returned from an 18-month retirement in January. I took several medical examinations in recent days and [things] are going in the right direction, it is encouraging news. It is still a slow recovery, so I need to be patient again until the end of 2010.

"For my preparation for competition in 2011 I cannot take any risks, so I hope to go back to practice in October and I will work hard to get ready for the new season."

Henin, currently ranked 14, made a stunning return to the WTA Tour after her retirement when she reached the final of the Australian Open in January before losing to Serena Williams.

The seven-times Grand Slam winner carefully managed her return, focusing on the Grand Slam events, but suffered the injury when she fell during her fourth-round win at Wimbledon. She was eventually knocked out in the next round in three sets by compatriot Kim Clijsters.

Henin's first scheduled event of 2011 is at the Hopman Cup in Perth, which begins on New Year's Day.