(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-05-15 07:30

LONDON - In an age when shrieking grunts and muscular power rule the tennis world, Justine Henin proved to be a refreshing throwback to an era when grace, speed and timing dominated the women's game.

World number one Justine Henin reacts as she holds a news conference in Limelette, May 14, 2008. Henin announced her retirement from professional tennis. [Agencies]

While the rise of power-packed players had contributed to the fall of former world number one Martina Hingis, Henin gave hope to smaller, lightly-framed players.

However, with the bombshell announcement on Wednesday that the 25-year-old Belgian was quitting the sport with immediate effect, Henin may turn out to be the last classical women's player to have graced the sport.

"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," Henin, who won 41 singles and two doubles titles during her career, told a stunned news conference in Brussels.

"I am leaving as the world number one and that is important and it is always better to go out at the top. I leave without any regrets and I know it is the right decision."

Over the past decade, players such as Maria Sharapova and the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, have revelled in capturing the headlines with their brute force on court as well as their colourful and daring fashion statements.

Henin climbed to the top of the sport by eschewing both practices.

While many athletes embraced the cult of celebrity to widen their global appeal and bankability, the world number one adopted a no-nonsense approach throughout her decade-long professional career.

The loss of her mother Francoise 13 years ago and a subsequent estrangement from her father and siblings left her more thoughtful and driven than many her age.

She had promised Francoise during a trip to the 1992 Roland Garros final between Steffi Graf and Monica Seles, that 'one day I will win here'.

It took her 11 years to fulfil that vow.

BREATHTAKING BACKHAND

The 1.67 metre tall Henin paired her unparalleled on-court elan with a mental fortitude to be feared and became the first Belgian to win a grand slam crown.

She went on to pick up seven slams in all, four of them in Paris. Despite twice contesting the Wimbledon final, the Rosewater Dish ended up being the only notable trophy missing from her impressive collection.

Never one to scream or grunt on court, Henin also had tennis purists drooling as she caressed the ball with her effortless style and unfurled the most breathtaking backhand for sublime winners.

Her fan club included John McEnroe, who credited the Monte-Carlo based player with having the best single-handed backhand in the sport, amongst men or women.

Such was her talent she easily outclassed the achievements of her fellow Belgian rival Kim Clijsters, who despite being a year younger than Henin retired last year after winning only one major.

Even off-court dramas could not throw Henin off course for too long.

A debilitating viral illness left her confined to a sickbed for several months in 2004 but she returned in a predictable manner, by winning an Olympic gold medal in Athens.

Last year she dominated the tour by winning 10 tournaments despite a turbulent season that included a split from her husband and a reunion with her estranged family.

Just when it seemed that the dark days of mystery viruses, niggling injuries and family turmoil were finally behind her, the pressures of being world number one finally caught up with Henin and brought a premature end to a remarkable career.

As she slips into retirement without even bothering to defend her French Open crown later this month, she would have left the inhabitants of Belgium with a lasting legacy after helping the country to win their first Fed Cup title in 2001.

She also wrote her name alongside that rare breed of champions who quit while still at the pinnacle of their sport.