Rediff

Brussels, May 14: World number one Justine Henin is set to announce her retirement from professional tennis, Belgian media reported on Wednesday.

The De Standaard daily said the four-time French Open winner would make the announcement at a news conference on Wednesday afternoon.

Winner of seven Grand Slam singles crowns, 25-year-old Henin suffered a surprise defeat in the third round of the German Open last week. She then withdrew from this week's Italian Open, citing fatigue.

Only last week Henin wrote on her Web site that she had been training without any problems and was injury free.

Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam tournament to have eluded her, with runner-up finishes in 2001 and 2006 her best results in London.

Despite her patchy form this season, Henin would be a favourite heading into this month's Roland Garros to win a fifth French Open crown.

Her retirement would come a year after compatriot and fellow former world number one Kim Clijsters walked away from the sport to start a family.