Top Ranked Star Justine Henin Retires Unexpectedly from Tennis

Justin Henin, the number one ranked female tennis player in the world, shocked the sports world by announcing her retirement. The 25 year old Belgium star told reporters today:

"This is the end of a child's dream," Henin, 25, said at a news conference today in her native Belgium. "It is a new beginning for me. I feel like I already lived three lives. I gave the sport all I could and took everything it could give me. I take this decision without the least bit of regrets. It is my life as a woman that starts now."

Henin was the favorite in the French Open, which starts in less then two weeks and which she had 4 times including last year, which makes her abrupt retirement even more surprising. Henin commented just last week about playing at Roldand Garros:

"It's just a great feeling, playing at the French Open -- the surface, the fact that it's a long love story between the French and me. It's like my garden. It's very emotional. As soon as I'm there I feel magic is happening. It's unique."

Besides her triumphs at the French Open, she managed to claim victory at two US Opens and one win at the Australian Open. She was runner up at Wimbledon, the only Grand Slam Tournament she failed to win, twice. She leaves as the only player in the history of womens tennis to leave the sport ranked as the top player.