Sorenstam has won over $20m in her career

The 36-year-old was quoted by newspaper Aftonbladet as saying: "I want to have kids and if we decide to do that now, I probably can't combine that with golf."

"I am not announcing my retirement and I am not announcing the start of a family," said the Swede.

"I am very much looking forward to the start of the 2007 season."

Sorenstam, who has been a professional for 13 years, was also quoted as saying she had not touched her clubs since mid-December, and was not planning to start training for the new season until next month.

"I unpacked my golf bag yesterday. It's been untouched since I came home from the Lexus Cup in December," she said.

"Last year I barely practised and I still won six tournaments and finished third in the money rankings... but being sloppy like that doesn't hold up in the long run," she said.

Sorenstam has won more money than any other woman in golf history and has been the top player six seasons in a row.

"My goal for the next 10, 20 years is to build up the Annika brand name, with my own golf school and golf course design and other things I want to develop," she said.