LIMELETTE, Belgium : Women's world number one Justine Henin on Wednesday announced her retirement from competitive tennis, at a press conference in her native Belgium.

"I have decided to put an end to my tennis-playing career," she said, confirming reports in the Belgian press that she was quitting the sport while still enjoying a firm lead at the top of the world rankings.

Henin, who will celebrate her 26th birthday on June 1, headed the official WTA rankings released Monday for the 117th consecutive week, but pulled out of the Rome Masters this week blaming tiredness. - AFP/ms