Close Menu
Subscribe Now
Trend

Ashleigh Barty: The world number one shocks the tennis world by announcing her retirement

Khaled NourBy
Ashleigh Barty
Ashleigh Barty

Ashleigh Barty, the world number one, stunned the sporting world by announcing her retirement from professional tennis at the age of 25.

The Australian announced her departure on Wednesday, stating that she was leaving to “pursue other dreams.”

She stated that she was “completely spent” and “physically unable to give any more.”

“I’m overjoyed and prepared. I simply know in my heart that this is the correct course of action for me as a person at the moment “‘She stated.

“I am aware that some may find it difficult to comprehend. That is acceptable to me. Because I know Ash Barty the person has a lot of dreams she wants to pursue that do not necessarily involve travelling the world, being away from my family, and being away from my home, which is where I’ve always desired to be.”

Barty has won three Grand Slam singles titles, most recently the Australian Open in January.

Thus, she became the first Australian to win either the men’s or women’s singles title at the Australian Open in 44 years.

She says her victory at Wimbledon in 2021 “shifted my perspective” because even after achieving her ultimate personal goal in the sport, she felt “unsatisfied.”

Barty has remained world number one for 114 consecutive weeks since winning her first Grand Slam at the 2019 French Open.

In the women’s game, only Steffi Graf, Serena Williams (both 186 weeks), and Martina Navratilova (156) have had longer reigns as world number one.

Williams is the only other active female player to have won major titles on clay, grass, and hard courts, and Barty retired with a total prize money of $23.8 million (£17.9 million).

“I am indebted to this sport for everything it has given me and leave feeling proud and fulfilled,” added Barty, who also won a Grand Slam doubles title at the 2018 US Open alongside American CoCo Vandeweghe.

“I understand how much effort it takes to bring out the best in yourself. I’ve stated repeatedly to my team, ‘I simply don’t have that in me anymore.’ Physically, I am completely depleted. I’ve devoted everything I’ve got to this magnificent sport of tennis, and I’m ecstatic about it.

“That, for me, is success. I’d like to express my gratitude to everyone who has supported me along the way. I’ll be eternally grateful for the lifelong memories we shared.”

 

‘I don’t believe Barty will return’ – analysis
Russell Fuller is a tennis correspondent for BBC Sport.

As with everyone else, my reaction is one of astonishment. However, I believe we will never see Barty play tennis again. There was a perception in the sport that she would always be a young retiree. At 25, however, no one saw it coming.

Wimbledon was the primary objective; the Australian Open was the cherry on top.

We should keep in mind that she has previously taken a break from the sport, primarily to play cricket, but also due to depression and homesickness.

Never say never, but she stated that she desired to experience the next phase of her life as Ash Barty the person, rather than Ash Barty the athlete.

‘Ultimate competitor’s’ legacies – reaction
Annabel Croft, a former British player, said the “tennis world was taken aback” by Barty’s retirement, but believes the move “makes perfect sense” if she feels she has nothing left to give.

Steve Simon, president of the Women’s Tennis Association, described Barty as “one of the great champions.”

“With her signature slice backhand and her status as the ultimate competitor, Ashleigh Barty has always set the bar high with her unwavering professionalism and sportsmanship in every match,” he said in a statement.

Fellow Australian Grand Slam champions paid tribute as well. Sam Stosur, a former US Open champion, lauded Barty’s “incredible career,” while Dylan Alcott, a 15-time quad singles Grand Slam champion, said Barty was a “champion in every sense of the word.”

Simona Halep, a former world number one from Romania, added: “What are your plans for the future? Golf’s Grand Slam champion?!”

Andy Murray of the United Kingdom responded to the news by saying he was “gutted for tennis” but delighted for Barty.

 

Marion Bartoli, a retired French player who won Wimbledon in 2013 and announced her retirement months later at the age of 28, said she could “completely relate” to Barty’s words.

“When I finally won Wimbledon in 2013, I had a little bit of fire left in my belly,” Bartoli explained on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast. “When you pursue something difficult for an extended period of time and finally succeed, you feel drained. You feel depleted. And for Ash, with the Australian Open just around the corner, she knew that winning would be the icing on the cake.

Asked about Alcaraz, Nadal replied, “I have all the ingredients to be an amazing champion.”

“However, she felt that she was unable to maintain the level of training and intensity required to remain at the top of the women’s game. As a result, I completely understand the decision.”

Barty’s victory at the Australian Open cemented her status as a national hero. She was presented with her trophy in an emotional moment by fellow Aboriginal Australian tennis champion and mentor Evonne Goolagong Cawley.

According to a recent report by The Age newspaper, the number of Australian children playing tennis increased by nearly 30% in the last year. Numerous them come from Indigenous communities, and the majority are female.

“I’m extremely proud that I can play a small role in encouraging more children to participate in sport and pursue their dreams,” Barty told BBC Sport in January.

In 2014, Barty stepped away from tennis, citing the sport’s strenuous demands, and competed in the inaugural season of cricket’s Women’s Big Bash League.

That was “a very different feeling” from her Wednesday retirement, she explained, adding that tennis had “given me all my dreams and more.”

Justine Henin of Belgium also retired from tennis at the age of 25 while ranked number one, only to announce her return 16 months later. The following year, she retired for the second time.

Kim Clijsters, a fellow Belgian, retired at the age of 23 in 2007 but returned two years later to win three of her four Grand Slam singles titles.

Share.

Related Posts

Pages

Site Map

© 2024 hottrendline. Powered by khaled nour.