Former world No. 1 Justine Henin has revealed her season-ending injury this year had her fearful of another retirement, PerthNow reported Thursday.
Henin retired in 2008 due to personal reasons and will begin her second season back on the WTA Tour Saturday at Perth's Hopman Cup, representing Belgium alongside Ruben Bemelmans.
The pair open the January 1-8 ITF mixed-teams tournament against Australia's Alicia Molik and Lleyton Hewitt.
Henin reached the final of the 2010 Australian Open in her first year back from a 16-month hiatus, and continued to perform strongly until a fall in the first set of her round of 16 Wimbledon clash with fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters left her with an injured tendon in her elbow.
The 28-year-old admitted she feared her career was over when she found out the extent of the injury, but is confident she is now nearing a return to full fitness.
"My elbow is getting better, it's now six months since my injury and I can't say I'm 100 per cent but I'm working very hard," Henin said.
"When we heard about the injury, there were concerns that it could be the end of my career as it was pretty serious.
"I can improve but it will take another week, possibly a month to really be 100 per cent."
The seven-time grand slam winner has set a modest goal for January's Australian Open.
Asked is she considered herself a threat at Melbourne Park, she said: "Well, no, just first round for me is going to be important and then we'll see, step by step."
