Henin, a four-times French Open winner, has struggled for form all year and suffered a surprise defeat to Dinara Safina in the third round of the German Open on Thursday.

The WTA said the Belgian, who was defeated in the 2002 Italian Open final by Serena Williams, will be fined US$20,000 (S$27,000) for the no-show.

Argentine Gisela Dulko will take her place in the Rome tournament, which starts on Monday, organisers said. - REUTERS