Seles rules out 2003 return

Seles ruled out retirement

Monica Seles has decided to miss the rest of the season to recover from a stress fracture in her left foot.

The veteran American is targetting January's Australian Open for her return, but she admits it may be March before she plays again.

"Playing the Australian Open is my goal but if that doesn't work out, I'll probably return in Miami (in-mid March)," the 29-year-old said.

Seles said she is still unable to run and practise and that her foot needs another two-and-a-half months to heal.

The nine-times Grand Slam champion, who has been out of action since losing in the first round of the French Open in May, added she was not planning to retire.

"I don't want to go out this way," she said.

But Seles was annoyed at missing a chance to compete in this year's US Open, which is without the injured Williams sisters for the first time since 1996.

"Have you seen this draw?" said Seles. "There's not going to be another one like this for at least another five years."