Henin is making her comeback after retiring in 2008

Justine Henin has withdrawn from the Sydney International after suffering an injury during her loss to Kim Clijsters in the Brisbane International final.

Henin, 27, suffered a gluteal strain in the 6-3 4-6 7-6 (8-6) defeat, and will rest to ensure her Australian Open participation is not put in jeopardy.

"Unfortunately with my injury I need to take a rest and won't be able to play for a couple of days," said Henin.

The Australian Open is due to start on 18 January in Melbourne.

Playing in her first tournament since May 2008, Henin faced fellow Belgian Clijsters in the Brisbane International final.

606: DEBATE To be expected really; now that she's got a few matches under her belt, it's not worth taking any risks before AO felixtzu

The match proved to be a gruelling encounter, lasting two hours and 23 minutes, with Clijsters saving two match points before winning on her fourth match point.

After the match Henin, who won the Australian Open in 2004, revealed she had been carrying the injury for a few days.

"I'm very disappointed that I can't play the Sydney International , which I like a lot," said the former world number one.

"I have played a few times in Sydney and I always enjoy playing there."

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