The world's number one women's tennis player Ashleigh Barty announced her early retirement from the sport Wednesday at the age of 25, a decision that shocked fans across the globe.
Barty made the stunning announcement just weeks after becoming the first home-grown Australian Open champion in 44 years, joining tennis royalty's most elite club by winning three Grand Slam titles on three different surfaces, according to an AFP News Agency report.
With her dizzying array of slices, precision serving, and flawless forehand typifying her all-around game, Barty quickly became the greatest on tour.
A Difficult Decision
In a video of her conversation with Casey Dellacqua, which was uploaded on Instagram, Barty went emotional as she announced her retirement from tennis, describing the moment as "difficult."
Barty told Dellacqua, her close friend and former doubles partner, that she was thankful for all the things that tennis gave her. "It's given me all of my dreams plus more," she said. The female tennis champ also said she is "so happy" and "so ready" for her decision to give up her colorful career "to step away and chase other dreams."
Ash Barty has been the world number one for over two years and has won three Grand Slam singles titles: the French Open in 2019, Wimbledon in 2021, and the Australian Open this year.
Barty has won 15 major tournaments, including Wimbledon and the French Open.
However, Barty expressed her frustration in her battles against homesickness, which is a part of the touring life of being a world-class tennis athlete.
"I know how much work it takes to bring the best out of yourself ... I don't have that in me anymore," she said. "I don't have the physical drive, the emotional want, and everything it takes to challenge yourself at the very top level anymore. I am spent."
There's More To Life Than Pro Tennis
She disclosed that she is looking forward to fulfilling "so many dreams" that do not require traveling the world and being away from her family, Al Jazeera reports.
But Barty said she would continue loving the sport that has been a massive part of her life.
Though she believes it is important for her to enjoy the next phase of her life as "Ash Barty the person, not Ash Barty, the athlete."
In late 2014, Barty, a teenager at that time, had quit the sport after becoming dissatisfied with the tour, as per AP News.
She returned in 2016 and quickly climbed the rankings, gaining international fame for her superb tennis and gaining fans' admiration for her constant sportsmanship.
She spent a total of 121 weeks as the world's greatest and seemed headed for greater success.
When the COVID-19 epidemic halted elite tennis in 2020, Barty took a year off to spend time with family instead of returning to the tour when it resumed.
Late last year, she announced her engagement to long-term boyfriend Garry Kissick, who was always by her side on the court and frequently sent uplifting messages on social media.
In a tweet, The Women's Tennis Association thanked Barty for being an "incredible" ambassador for tennis and women worldwide. "We will miss you so much, Ash," the organization posted on Twitter.
Barty is set to hold a press conference on Thursday, according to her official Instagram page.
Related Article : Can Lionel Messi Return to Barcelona? Xavi Confirms Door Is Always Open
