Henin says injury serious after quitting final

World number two Justine Henin-Hardenne said on Sunday night the knee injury that forced her to retire from the decisive match of the Fed Cup final against Italy was serious.

The French Open champion suffered the injury in her win over Francesca Schiavone in Sunday's opening match, but despite her obvious pain, started alongside team-mate Kirsten Flipkens in the doubles decider.

Henin-Hardenne and Flipkens took the first set 6-3 but lost the second set 6-2 and trailed 2-0 in the third when Henin-Hardenne retired.

"I had given it my all in the singles and I didn't have enough left for the doubles. It was difficult. I have to turn the page now and take care of myself because this injury is serious," she said.

The Belgian had been wincing with pain throughout the match but landed heavily early in the final set, leaving Italy to snatch their first Fed Cup title.

"This is an injury that I've had for about a year and a half and it's something that's going to come back. It's a problem with the cartilage and I have to take care of it," she said.

q Fed Cup losing finalists Belgium must travel to the United States in the first round of next year's competition following the World Group draw. Italy, who beat the Belgians 3-2 in the final last weekend, were handed a home tie against China, with Spain making the trip to Russia and Japan entertaining France. The first round will be played on April 21-22, the semi-finals on July 14-15 and the final on Sept. 15-16.