Henin rules herself out for the year

London: Former world number one Justine Henin has ruled herself out for the rest of the season with her elbow ligament injury.

The 28-year-old Belgian has been out of action since hurting her right elbow at Wimbledon but had initially hoped to be back in September. However on Thursday, Henin wrote on her official website (http://www.justine-henin.be) that she would not even begin practice until October. "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." The seven-times grand slam winner made a spectacular return to the tour following an 18-month break when she reached the final the Australian Open, where she lost to Serena Williams. Bureau Report