Why did Ashleigh Barty stop playing: Ashleigh Barty, the world number one, has shocked the sporting world by declaring her retirement from professional tennis at the age of 25.
The Australian announced her departure on social media on Wednesday, saying she was leaving to “pursue other dreams.”
Why did Ashleigh Barty stop playing: She stated that she was “completely spent” and that “physically I have nothing more to give.”
“I’m overjoyed and excited. I just know in my heart that this is the right thing to do for me as a person right now “She stated.
“I understand that some people may not understand what I’m saying. That’s fine with me. Because I know Ash Barty the person has a lot of dreams she wants to pursue that don’t necessarily involve traveling around the world, being away from my family, and being away from my home, which is where I’ve always wanted to be.”
Barty won three Grand Slam singles titles, including the Australian Open in January of this year.
As a result, she became the first Australian woman or man to win the Australian Open men’s or women’s singles title in 44 years.
She claims that her success in becoming the 2021 Wimbledon champion “changed my perspective” because, despite achieving her ultimate personal goal in the sport, she felt “not quite fulfilled.”
Barty has remained world number one for 114 weeks after winning her first Grand Slam at the French Open in 2019.
Only Steffi Graf (186 weeks), Serena Williams (186 weeks), and Martina Navratilova (156) have had longer winning streaks in the women’s game.
Williams is the only other active female player who has won major titles on clay, grass, and hard courts, and at the time of her retirement, Barty had amassed total prize money of $23.8 million (£17.9 million).
Why did Ashleigh Barty stop playing: “I am so grateful for everything this sport has given me and leave feeling proud and fulfilled,” said Barty, who also won a Grand Slam doubles title at the 2018 US Open with American CoCo Vandeweghe.
“I understand how much effort it takes to bring out the best in yourself. ‘I just don’t have that in me any longer,’ I’ve told my team several times. I don’t have anything else to offer physically. I’ve given everything I’ve got to this wonderful sport of tennis, and I’m very happy about it.
“That is success for me.” Thank you to everyone who has encouraged and supported me along the way. I’ll be eternally grateful for the lifelong memories we made together.”
The enduring legacy of the ‘ultimate competitor’
Steve Simon, the head of the Women’s Tennis Association, called Barty “one of the great champions.”
“Ashleigh Barty has always led by example through the unwavering professionalism and sportsmanship she brought to each and every match,” he said in a statement.
Fellow Australian Grand Slam champions also paid their respects. Former US Open champion Sam Stosur praised Barty’s “incredible career,” and 15-time quad singles Grand Slam champion Dylan Alcott called him a “champion in every sense of the word.”
Simona Halep, a former world number one from Romania, added: “What is your next step? Golf’s Grand Slam champion?!”
Andy Murray of the United Kingdom reacted to the news by saying he was “gutted for tennis” but glad for Barty.
Barty’s Australian Open victory solidified her status as a national hero. Evonne Goolagong Cawley, another Aboriginal Australian tennis champion and mentor, presented her with her trophy in an emotional moment.
According to a recent report in The Age newspaper, the number of Australian children playing tennis has increased by nearly 30 percent in the last year. Many of them come from Indigenous communities, and many of them are female.
“I’m really grateful that I can be a small part of getting more children into sport and chasing their dreams,” Barty said in January to BBC Sport.
Barty took a break from tennis in 2014, citing the intense demands of the sport, and participated in the inaugural season of cricket’s Women’s Big Bash League.
She described it as a “very different feeling” than her retirement on Wednesday, and she added that tennis had “given me all my dreams plus more.”
Belgian Justine Henin, who was world number one at the time, retired from tennis at the age of 25 before announcing 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 2 years later and went on to win 3 of her four Grand Slam singles titles.
Barty’s retirement has prompted tributes
Happy for @ashbarty gutted for tennis 🎾 what a player❤️
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) March 23, 2022
An incredible tennis player but more importantly one of the nicest people on tour ♥️
Congratulations @ashbarty on an amazing career and good luck with what’s next! pic.twitter.com/Mhwzyf6nbX
— Madison Keys (@Madison_Keys) March 23, 2022
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
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