Maria Sharapova will move to the top position at the world rankings next week after Justine Henin asked to be removed from the rankings following her retirement, the governing body of women's tennis (WTA) said on Thursday.

Henin's surprising announcement over retirement with immediate effect on Wednesday can not pull her down from the top ranking as she holds a commanding 1,709-point lead over Australian Open champion Sharapova.

The Belgian became the first woman to quit tennis while ranked number one.

According to the WTA, Henin was currently in her 117th non-consecutive week in the top spot.

(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2008)