BRUSSELS, May 14 (Reuters) - World number one Justine Henin
announced she was retiring from professional tennis with
immediate effect on Wednesday.
 

"It's the end of a wonderful adventure but it's something I
have been thinking about for a long time," the Belgian told a
news conference.
 

Henin, the winner of seven grand slam titles, had been
expected to defend her French Open crown later this month but
instead opted to turn her back on the sport at the age of just
25.
 

"I am leaving as the world number one and that is important
and it is always better to go out at the top," said Henin, who
won 41 titles since turning professional in 1999.
 

"I have been driving my career based on an emotion but I
didn't feel that emotion anymore since (last year's
season-ending championships in) Madrid.
 

"At Madrid I felt I had reached the climax of my career. I
had thought about taking a break, but in the end I didn't think
this was the right decision."
 

"I decided on returning from (last week's tournament in)
Berlin to stop now.
 

"I leave without any regrets and I know it is the right
decision."
 

Henin became the first Belgian to win a grand slam title
with her triumph at the French Open in 2003 and despite
suffering numerous turmoils throughout her career, she did not
let it affect her form on court.
 

Credited with owning the best backhand in the game, she
bucked the trend of the power players on the tour by climbing to
the top of the world rankings despite her slight 1.67 metre
frame.
 

A winner of four Roland Garros crowns, two U.S. Open titles
and one at the Australian Open, Henin admitted the lure of
completing her collection at Wimbledon was not enough to prolong
her career.
 

DREAM REALISED
 

"Winning Wimbledon would not have made me any happier," said
Henin, who also captured Olympic gold in Athens four years ago.
 

"I didn't feel I was capable of winning there (Wimbledon). I
stopped before Roland Garros because I asked myself if I could
produce a better Roland Garros than last year and I realised I
couldn't.
 

"I wanted to play in the Olympics for my country and would
have been proud to do so despite the current problems. Some
people never realise their dream of an Olympic medal and I have
realised that goal.
 

"But I couldn't go to Beijing and do my country proud. It's
time for a change."
WTA chief Larry Scott paid tribute to Henin.
 

"Justine Henin will be remembered as one of the all-time
great champions in women's tennis, and a woman who made up for
her lack of size with a will to win and fighting spirit that was
second to none," he said in a statement.  
 

"It is rare that an athlete leaves at the very top of her
game in this day and age, but Justine has always played by her
own rules, in the very best sense of those words.
 

"History will remember Justine for not only her seven grand
slam titles and three years finishing as the WTA Tour's world
number one but for one of the most graceful backhands the sport
has ever seen and an ability to overcome any and all obstacles
placed in her way on the tennis court and off."