BRISBANE: A leg injury has forced Justine Henin to withdraw from next week's Sydney International tennis tournament.

Henin said she strained a muscle during her epic loss to fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters in the final of the Brisbane International on Saturday, Henin's first tournament since coming out of a 20-month retirement.

The 27-year-old said she would rest the leg for a few days in Brisbane before flying to Melbourne for the Australian Open.

The withdrawal robs Sydney organisers of the chance of a second round match up between Henin and world number one Serena Williams