Australian tennis player Ashleigh Barty, 25, the world number one in the women’s tennis rankings, surprised the sporting world on Wednesday (23) by announcing her retirement.
“Today is a difficult and exciting day for me as I announce my retirement from tennis,” he said on his Instagram account.
Barty broke the news weeks after becoming the first local winner of the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the season, in 44 years.
In a crying video message with her friend and former doubles partner Casey Dellacqua, she said she is “grateful for everything this sport has given me.”
“Success for me is knowing that I gave absolutely everything, everything I can. I’m happy and I know how much work it takes to achieve the best”, he said. “It’s just that I don’t have it in me anymore. I don’t have the physical motivation, emotional desire and everything else that it takes to strive to be at the highest level.”
She stated that now is the time to go after other dreams.
Barty has been No. 1 for over two years and is retiring after winning three Grand Slam titles: Roland Garros 2019, Wimbledon in 2021 and the Australian Open this year.
The tennis world received the announcement with surprise, as did the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) on Twitter.
“Thank you for being an amazing ambassador for the sport. We will miss you so much Ash,” the WTA posted, after claiming that she will leave “an indelible mark on the court, off the court and in our hearts.”
For her part, Karolina Pliskova, whom Barty defeated last year at Wimbledon, congratulated the Australian for an “incredible career”.
“It was a privilege to share the court with you,” tweeted the former Czech number one. “We will miss you”.
Andy Murray, a three-time Grand Slam winner, tweeted: “Happy for @ashbarty. Sad for tennis. What a player!”
Even Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison paid tribute to the tennis player. “I want to thank you, Ash, for inspiring a country, inspiring a nation at a time when the country really needs it,” Morrison said.
Last year, she got engaged to her longtime boyfriend Garry Kissick, who is often present when she plays games and posts supportive messages on social media.
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