Sharapova to be the new #1

ST PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) -- Maria Sharapova will become top player in women's tennis when the updated WTA Tour rankings are released Monday. Current world No. 1 Justine Henin abruptly retired on Wednesday and, at her request, the WTA will remove her from the rankings this week.

The 21-year-old Sharapova, who won the Australian Open in January, will assume the top spot for the fourth time in her career. "To be honest, ranking has never really been a big deal for me," Sharapova said on Wednesday, when asked about the possibility of overtaking Henin. "Whether I'm No. 1 or 5, my main goal is just to keep winning tennis matches. The ranking will take care of itself if I keep winning matches."

A seven-time Grand Slam champion, the 25-year-old Henin was currently in her 117th non-consecutive week and fourth stint in the top spot. "If I'm 25 and I won I don't know how many Grand Slams she's won, I'd call it quits as well," Sharapova said. "You know, I wouldn't be disappointed leaving the sport, because obviously there's a lot more to life than tennis. She's had a very long career, and you never know, maybe one day she'll be back." The 5-6, 125-pound Henin said Wednesday that her decision is final. "(Henin has) done incredible things for the sport," Sharapova said. "She's shown that without being the strongest or the tallest girl on the tour she's been able to win so many matches in so many tournaments and Grand Slams. "She's an inspiration to many young girls coming up. Like I said, there are so many things in life, and I'm sure she wants to explore them as well. I definitely don't blame her for retiring."

On Monday, Sharapova will commence her 15th career week at No. 1, having first ascended to the top ranking on August 22, 2005. After a one-week spell in the top spot she regained the position two weeks later from Lindsay Davenport, where she remained for six weeks. The 21-year-old Russian also was No. 1 for seven weeks from January to March 2007.

Sharapova, competing in Rome this week, is 25-2 this season with three titles. The 19-time champion is the first Russian and one of 16 players to have held the top spot in the WTA rankings. Henin, who won 41 singles titles in her career, is the first woman in the history of professional tennis to retire from the sport while ranked No. 1.

"Tennis starts at a very young age," Sharapova said. "You're basically committing every day of your life to tennis. No matter what days you have off or how long you have off, you're always thinking about consequences to what you're doing and how that's going to affect your training and performance. "It's tough to be able to do what we do day in and day out. ... I totally understand where she's coming from. Like I said, I don't think she has anything to regret. She's had a great career. If I were in her shoes, I would probably do the same thing."

Sharapova will be ranked #1 (NC Sports Photo/Bradley Cox)