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BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) --
Justine Henin-Hardenne will miss next week's season-ending WTA Tour
Championships in Los Angeles due to a hamstring injury.
Henin-Hardenne told Belgian newspaper Le Soir she needed to recuperate from the
injury, suffered after winning her fourth Grand Slam at the French Open in June.
``It was a sober sport decision,'' Henin-Hardenne told the newspaper. ``I could
not train for a month after Roland Garros. I played tournaments after that, but
that was playing for the sake of playing.''
She hoped the rest would allow her to start the 2006 season fully fit.
Henin-Hardenne skipped two tournaments this month due to the injury.
``If I continue to force it, I will never be ready to restart training on Dec.
1,'' she said.
The Belgian said she faced a fine for withdrawing from the tournament in Los
Angeles, but was in talks with WTA officials over her no-show.
Henin-Hardenne said she would consider returning to Belgium's Fed Cup team next
year.
``If I play, it will be for one reason, my fans,'' she said.
Her French Open win capped a return from a virus and knee injury that sidelined
her for seven months until March.
