Tennis
Henin to put delicate knee to the test in Miami comeback
By DPA
Mar 27, 2008, 18:13 GMT

Miami - Number one Justine Henin will put her delicate right knee to its first test in a month as she starts in the second round of the Miami Masters.

But the Belgian has revealed that she had considered an operation after a quarter-final thumping by Maria Sharapova at the Australian Open. Instead the four-time French Open champion opted for a February cortisone injection which she hopes will carry her for a few more months through the clay season.

Optimism currently reigns in the Henin camp: 'Two months after the injection and my knee is really good,' she said prior to facing German Angelique Kerber. 'The knee has been a chronic problem, but it's much better.'

Henin last competed on February 28 in Dubai, where the four-time champion lost for the first time in her career at the Gulf venue against Francesca Schiavone. She skipped the Indian Wells Masters to rest her inflamed knee.

The seven-times Grand Slam winner called the problem 'my main concern the last two months. In Australia it was really bothering me, I was thinking about surgery.'

The Monte Carlo-based Henin will be perhaps increasing her focus in Florida after she and longtime coach Carlos Rodriguez opened a tennis academy in Orlando.

'It's really important I keep the emphasis on my tennis the next few years, but when I'm going to be in the States between tournaments for example, or before Miami, than I will be there.'