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 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.