Topline Australian tennis star and women’s world number one player, Ashleigh Barty has on Wednesday announced that she is retiring from the sport, a decision that has shocked the tennis world months after the 25-year-old won her third grand slam title at the Australian Open.
In a video posted on her Instagram page, Barty said she didn’t have the “physical drive” or “emotional want” to challenge herself at the top level of the sport any longer.
The Australian tennis star added that she was “spent” and felt it was time to “chase other dreams.”
Acknowledging her previous retirement as a teenager back in 2014, Barty said she knows that she’s “done this before” but this was a very “different feeling.”
Barty expressed that she first got the inkling to step away from the sport after winning Wimbledon last year which was her “one true dream” but said she put off the decision then as a part of her wasn’t quite satisfied yet.
The 25-year-old world number one said that changed with her Australian Open victory in January which she thought was the perfect way to celebrate “what an amazing journey” her tennis career has been.
Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison on Twitter thanked Barty;
Thank you for inspiring a nation. You are all class. Your achievements will be celebrated for all time. On behalf of all Australians, all the best to you & your fiancé Garry for your wedding & new life together.
This is Barty’s second retirement as she had initially walked away from the sport as a teenager in 2014 due to burnout and the stress of constant travel.
Following a brief stint as a cricketer playing in the Australian Women’s Big Bash League for Brisbane Heat, Barty returned to the women’s tennis tour in 2016.
Upon her return the Australian star quickly rose up the rankings and would go on to win three grand slam titles—2019 French Open, 2021 Wimbledon and 2022 Australian Open—on three different surfaces—clay, grass and hard court.
Barty spent a total of 121 weeks ranked as the world’s top female tennis player and developed a competitive on court rivalry with the sport’s other young superstar, Naomi Osaka.
However, even through her success she openly spoke about her feeling of homesickness and dislike of constant touring.
Known for her calm and laid-back persona, Barty was one of the most popular players on the tennis circuit and her decision to retire has led to an outpouring of support and acclaim for her achievements.
