The world number 1 in women’s tennis Ashleigh Barty surprised us on Wednesday by announcing her early retirement, at only 25 years old, declaring that she had realized her dreams and was “absolutely exhausted.” “I’m so happy, and I’m so ready and I just know now in my heart that as a person, it’s the right decision.“, said the Australian, in tears, in a video message made alongside her former doubles partner, Casey Dellacqua.
At the top of the WTA rankings since September 2019, Barty has won 15 singles titles in his career, including three Grand Slams (Roland-Garros 2019, Wimbledon 2021, Australian Open 2022). In January, she became the first Australian in 44 years to win in Melbourne, joining the closed club of sacred Grand Slam players on three different surfaces.
“Success for me is knowing that I gave it my all, everything I could. I’m fulfilled, I’m happy, and I know how much work it takes to give the best of yourself.“, explained Barty who also has twelve titles in doubles, including one Grand Slam (US Open 2018).
“I just don’t have that in me anymore. I no longer have the physical energy, the emotional will and everything it takes to surpass myself at the highest level.“, she continued, adding to be”absolutely sold out“, statements that echo the psychological torments of the Japanese Naomi Osaka, former world number 1.
Barty, one of the most respected and beloved players on the women’s tour, first made a name for herself on the WTA Tour in doubles, with her dizzying array of strokes and physical stamina. She started playing tennis as a child in Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland, and won the Wimbledon Junior Championship title aged 15 in 2011.
But expectations of success got the better of her, and three years later she gave up tennis for cricket, playing in the Australian Women’s Professional Championship. She returned to tennis after a season away, claiming her first Grand Slam triumph at Roland Garros in 2019 and becoming the first Australian world No. 1 since Evonne Goolagong-Cawley 50 years earlier. She confirms by winning at Wimbledon in 2021, before her triumph at the Australian Open in Melbourne in January.
Only before her Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf and Serena Williams had finished three years in a row at the top. “To be able to win Wimbledon was my dream, my only real dream in tennis. It really changed my perspective. I had this intuition after Wimbledon and I talked about it a lot with my team” confessed the champion.
“There was just a little part of me that wasn’t quite happy (…) And then came the challenge of the Australian Open and I think for me that’s the most perfect” to leave. The WTA, the body that oversees the women’s circuit, hailed “an amazing sports ambassador“: “Thank you, Ashleigh Barty, for the indelible mark you left on the court, off the court and in our hearts.“, she said on Twitter.
“I will miss you, my friend, you are different, special and we lived together incredible moments“, for her part, explained the Romanian Simona Halep who wonders if her former rival is not well”win a Grand Slam title in golf“, his other passion. The Scotsman Andy Murray said to himself “happy for Ashleigh but disgusted for tennis“: “What a player!“
Happy for @ashbarty gutted for tennis what a player❤️
—Andy Murray (@andy_murray) March 23, 2022
The reactions to this announcement were not limited to the world of tennis. “I want to thank you, Ash, for inspiring a country, for inspiring a nation, at a time when this country really needed a boost“said Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
The Australian said after her victory at the Australian Open that she wanted to take time to reflect on her career, thus touring the United States in Indian Wells and Miami. She got engaged last year to her longtime boyfriend, Garry Kissick, who was always in the stands when she played.