Belgian tennis star Justine Henin on Thursday ruled herself out of action for two months after picking up an elbow injury playing at Wimbledon.
The seven-time Grand Slam winner suffered her injury when she fell in the first set of her fourth round loss to Belgian rival Kim Clijsters at the All England Club on Monday.
The injury means she will be unable to compete in the 'Best of Belgium' clash with Clijsters next week, and will also miss the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the season.
"Following my fall at Wimbledon....I took several medical examinations which have revealed a ligament partial fracture at the right elbow," Henin said on her website.
"There I regret to announce that I can't unfortunately play in Best of Belgium this July 8. I'll be nevertheless present for this wonderful Belgian event which is important for me.
"This injury will keep me away from the courts during a rough period of two months with the consequence the withdrawal of my US round of tournaments including the US Open.
"In four weeks, I'll take complementary medical examinations that will give me certainty about the end of this season."
A crowd of around 40,000 - a world record for a tennis match - had been due to watch her match against Clijsters in Brussels. Tournament organisers plan to find a replacement to play Clijsters.
Two-time US Open winner Henin, 28, resumed her career this season after 18 months in retirement. She also won the Australian Open in 2004 and the French Open four times.
Clijsters will defend her US Open title starting on August 30 in New York.
Copyright 2010 AFP Global Edition
