World number one Justine Henin walked away from tennis yesterday and vowed she would not be back.
The 25-year-old Belgian announced her retirement from the sport with immediate effect 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 – including four Dubai Tennis Championships. "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, withdrew from this week's Internazionali BNL d'Italia 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."
Unable to physically match up with many of the players on tour at only 5ft 6in, Henin utilised her tremendous speed and coverage to go with her trademark shot, a devastating one-handed backhand, to vault to the top of the women's game.
Wimbledon was the only major title to have eluded her and she becomes the first woman to retire from tennis while ranked world number one.
DUBAI PAYs TRIBUTE to great champion
Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, owners and organisers of the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships, said: "Justine Henin has been a wonderful ambassador for the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships and for the game of tennis.
"Having won the Dubai title four times over the past six years, Justine grew to become one of the most popular players to have competed at our event.
"Her love for our tournament was shown by her attendance year after year and she will be sadly missed by the tennis fans here. We wish her every success in her future endeavours."
