Justine Henin retires from tennis

WORLD number one Justine Henin has announced her shock retirement from tennis with immediate effect.

The 25-year-old Belgian made the announcement at a news conference in her homeland and promised her shock decision was final.

"This is the end of a childhood dream," said Henin, winner of 41 WTA singles titles. "It is a definitive decision. Those who know me know I am serious. A new future is ahead and I won't go back on this decision.

"I have thought a lot about this. I started thinking about it late last year. I'm at the end of the road. I leave with my head held high."

Henin, who won seven grand slam titles in a glittering career, suffered a third-round loss to Dinara Safina at the Qatar Telecom German Open in Berlin last week and withdrew from this week's Italian Open in Rome due to fatigue.

"I have experienced everything I could have," she said. "I have lived completely for tennis. I am relieved and proud of what I achieved."