SYDENY: Former World No 1 Justine Henin has been granted a wildcard to play in the 2010 Australian Open in her return to tennis, organisers said on Monday. The 27-year-old Belgian, who won the Australian Open in 2004, announced last month that she was ending her self-imposed retirement to come back to the women’s tennis circuit.

Her coach, Carlos Rodriguez, said last week that Henin was likely to make her return in the Brisbane International, starting on January 3, ahead of the January 18-31 Australian Open in Melbourne. Henin won 41 WTA Tour titles and held the world top ranking for 117 non-consecutive weeks. She held the ranking when she retired in May 2008, citing a succession of injuries and a desire to live life away from the game.