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The world number one in women’s tennis, Australian Ashleigh Barty, also known as ‘Ash’, announced her retirement from the sport at just 25 years of age and at the peak of her career. Weeks after winning the Australian Open, the athlete has cited meeting her professional goals and not having “the physical or emotional motivation that she needs” to continue.
Ashleigh Barty retires with 15 titles less than two months after winning the Australian Open, her third Grand Slam singles triumph after Wimbledon in 2021 and the French Open in 2019.
“Ash Barty, the person, has so many dreams that he wants to pursue that don’t necessarily involve traveling the world, being away from my family, being away from home, which is where I’ve always wanted to be,” Barty said in an emotional video posted on your Instagram account.
“I will never stop loving tennis, it’s been a huge part of my life, but I think it’s important that I get to enjoy the next part of my life as Ash Barty the person, not Ash Barty the athlete,” he continued.
A career that has inspired the world 💙
Thank you @ashbarty, for everything. We wish you the best in your retirement, and we’ll always be here cheering you on for the next chapter.
Forever a champion 🏆 pic.twitter.com/eMv9ABhKB8
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) March 23, 2022
For a total of 121 weeks, she remained number one in the world in this sport.
This new decision marks her second retirement from the sport, having walked away from the game as a teenager, in late 2014, after losing motivation for the Tour.
The athlete returned in 2016 and quickly climbed the world tennis rankings. “I know I’ve done this before, but with a different feeling,” she said.
Barty: “I gave all I could”
“Success for me is knowing that I gave everything, everything I could. I’m fulfilled, I’m happy and I know how much work it takes to give the best of one (…) It’s just that I don’t have that in me anymore. I don’t have the physical energy, the emotional will and everything else to push myself to the highest level,” the three-time Grand Slam winner explained, adding that she is “absolutely exhausted”.
Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Director Steve Simon paid tribute to the player who has become synonymous with good sportsmanship and won fans around the world for her brilliant play.
“Ashleigh Barty, with her signature slice backhand, coupled with being the better competitor, has always led by example through the unwavering professionalism and sportsmanship she brought to every match,” Simon noted.
For every young girl that has looked up to you.
For every one of us that you’ve inspired.
For your love of the game.
Thank you, @ashbarty for the incredible mark you’ve left on-court, off-court and in our hearts 💜 pic.twitter.com/6wp9fmO439
— wta (@WTA) March 23, 2022
“With her achievements at the Grand Slams, the WTA Finals and reaching the number one spot in the world rankings, she has clearly established herself as one of the great champions of the WTA,” she added.
Barty will be remembered as one of the most respected players in world tennis. During her career she led the sport’s rankings with her dizzying array of flawless forehands and accurate shots.
With AFP and Reuters
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