ROME, May 16: Russian Maria Sharapova will be the new women’s world number one when the WTA rankings are released on Monday, the WTA said in a statement on Thursday.

Justine Henin’s decision to retire from professional tennis with immediate effect means that she will be removed from the rankings as of next week.

And Sharapova, the current number two who is playing at the Rome International here, will take over the top spot for the fourth time, although she said the number one spot was not a major motivation for her.

“To be honest, the ranking has never really been a big deal for me. Whether I’m number one or five, my main goal is just to keep winning tennis matches,” Sharapova said.

“The ranking will take care of itself if I keep winning matches.”

Belgian Henin had spent 117 weeks in total and is the sixth longest reigning number one since the inception of computer rankings in November 1975.

Sharapova paid tribute to her former rival and said she could fully understand the 25-year-old’s decision.

“She’s 25 years old and has achieved so much in her career and has had incredible success on the court.“If I was 25 and I had won I don’t know how many Grand Slams she’s won, seven or something, I’d call it quits as well,” she stated.

“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.

“She’s done incredible things for the sport. 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 added.

Sharapova will thus commence her 15th week at number one having first held the position in August 2005.

The 21-year-old is the only Russian and one of only 16 woman to have held the number one spot.—AFP