Brussels:
Justine Henin, struggling with an elbow injury suffered at Wimbledon, announced on Wednesday she was calling time on this season.
The former world number one, in a statement on her personal website, insisted this decision did not spell the end of her career as she would now set about preparing for a comeback in 2011.
Henin told her fans: "I've had a series of medical tests in the past few days. The healing process is taking its course and is heading in the right direction. Unfortunately though it is taking time. This means I must be patient.
"In order to be at my best in 2011 and so as not to take any risks I hope to resume training at the start of October and continue to work flat out to attack the new season."
The 28-year-old Belgian star suffered a partial ruptured ligament in her right elbow in a fall at Wimbledon six months after her return from retirement.
She returned with all guns blazing, making the final of the Australian Open.
Henin and Serena Williams, who denied her in Australia, feature in the list of players signed up for the mixed teams eight-nation Hopman Cup starting on January 1 in Perth.