Justine Henin-Hardenne might be sidelined until the tour's season-ending championships in November because of a knee injury that forced her to quit during the decisive match of the Fed Cup final.
Henin-Hardenne, the French Open champion who is ranked No. 2, pulled out of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany, early next month and is doubtful for the Zurich Open beginning Oct. 16. The WTA Tour Championships in Madrid, Spain, start Nov. 7.
The Belgian star, who made it to the final of all four majors this year, tore a knee muscle Sunday during the third set of doubles in the title match against Italy.
``It was like a ball blasted me at the back of the knee,'' she said.
Henin-Hardenne was playing with Kirsten Flipkens. Her decision to stop gave Francesca Schiavone and Roberta Vinci a 3-6, 6-2, 2-0 victory. Italy won 3-2 for its first title in the top team event in women's tennis.
