The 25 years old professional tennis player from Australia, Ashleigh Barty stunned the tennis world when she announced her retirement from the game. She ranked world no.1 (singles) and placed in the top 20s in doubles at the time of her retirement.
Barty announced her departure by delivering the bombshell news in an interview with Casey Dellacqua through her social media.
Ash made a post on Instagram alongside a video of the interview. She wrote, “Today is difficult and filled with emotion for me as I announce my retirement from tennis. I wasn’t sure how to share this news with you so I asked my good friend @caseydellacqua to help me. I am so thankful for everything this sport has given me and leave feeling proud.”
She concluded by writing, “Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way. I’ll always be grateful for the lifelong memories that we created together.”
Ashleigh Barty on her early retirement
Ashleigh Barty departs the sport at the peak of her prowess. She resigns as the reigning Australian Open and Wimbledon champion. She also moves away from the game as someone who has held the world no.1 position since winning the 2019 French Open.
Ash held back tears as she broke the news to Casey Dellacqua in the video interview. She said, “I am so happy, and I’m so ready, and I just know at the moment in my heart [that] for me as a person, this is right.”
“I know I’ve done this before, but in a very different feeling, and I’m so grateful for everything tennis has given me – it’s given me all my dreams plus more.”
She added, “There was just a little part of me that wasn’t quite satisfied, wasn’t quite fulfilled. And then came the challenge of the Australian Open, and I think that for me just feels like the perfect way, my perfect way to celebrate what an amazing journey my tennis career has been.”
“I know how much work it takes to bring the best out of yourself and I’ve said it to my team multiple times, it’s just I don’t have that in me any more.”
She concluded by, “I don’t have the physical drive. The emotional want and everything it takes to challenge yourself at the very top of the level any more.”
“I just know that I am absolutely – I am spent – I just know physically I have nothing more to give. And that to me is success. I have given absolutely everything I can to this beautiful sport of tennis.”
Ash, what can I say, you know I have tears right? My friend, I will miss you on tour. You were different, and special, and we shared some amazing moments. What's next for you? Grand Slam champion in golf?! Be happy and enjoy your life to the max xo Simo@ashbarty pic.twitter.com/WbX7kXnJ1l
— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) March 23, 2022
Congrats on an incredible career Ash 🙏 It was a privilege to share a court with you. Wishing you all the best in your next chapter, @ashbarty. You will be missed 🥺❤️ pic.twitter.com/bpL20nIUJQ
— Karolina Pliskova (@KaPliskova) March 23, 2022
The tennis fraternity came together to bid farewell to the tennis genius. Players like Simona Halep, Karolina Pliskova, Andy Murray, Elina Monfils and many more bid goodbye to her.
