World number one Ashleigh Barty has shocked the sporting world by announcing she will retire from professional tennis at just 25.
The Australian made the announcement on social media on Wednesday, saying she was leaving to “chase other dreams”.
She said she was “absolutely spent” and “physically I have nothing more to give”.
“I’m so happy and I’m so ready. I just know at the moment in my heart, for me as a person, this is right,” she said.
“I know that people may not understand it. I’m OK with that. Because I know that Ash Barty the person has so many dreams she wants to chase after that don’t necessarily involve travelling the world, being away from my family, from my home, which is where I’ve always wanted to be.”
Barty won three Grand Slam singles events, including this year’s Australian Open in January.
In doing so she became the first home player to win the Australian Open men’s or women’s singles title in 44 years.
She says her success in becoming 2021 Wimbledon champion “changed my perspective” because after achieving her ultimate personal goal in the sport, she still “wasn’t quite fulfilled”.
Barty has remained world number one since winning her first Grand Slam at the French Open in 2019 – a run of 114 consecutive weeks.
Only Steffi Graf, Serena Williams (both 186 weeks) and Martina Navratilova (156) have enjoyed longer streaks as world number one in the women’s game.
Williams is the only other active female player to have won major titles on clay, grass and hard courts, and at the time of her retirement, Barty has collected $23.8m (£17.9m) in prize money.
“I am so thankful for everything this sport has given me and leave feeling proud and fulfilled,” added Barty, who also won a Grand Slam doubles title alongside American CoCo Vandeweghe at the 2018 US Open.
“I know how much work it takes to bring the best out of yourself. I’ve said it to my team multiple times, ‘I just don’t have that in me any more.’ Physically, I have nothing more to give. I’ve given absolutely everything I have to this beautiful sport of tennis, and I’m really happy with that.
“For me, that is my success. Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way. I’ll always be grateful for the lifelong memories we created together.”
Women’s Tennis Association head Steve Simon said Barty was “one of the great champions”.
“Ashleigh Barty with her signature slice backhand, complemented by being the ultimate competitor, has always led by example through the unwavering professionalism and sportsmanship she brought to every match,” he said in a statement.
Fellow Australian Grand Slam winners also paid tribute. Former US Open champion Sam Stosur hailed Barty’s “incredible career”, while 15-time quad singles Grand Slam champion Dylan Alcott said Barty was a “champion in every sense of the word”.
Romanian former world number one Simona Halep added: “What’s next for you? Grand Slam champion in golf?!”
Great Britain’s Andy Murray reacted to the news by saying he was “gutted for tennis” but happy for Barty.
Barty’s Australian Open win had cemented her reputation as a national hero. In an emotional moment, she was presented with her trophy by fellow Aboriginal Australian tennis champion and mentor Evonne Goolagong Cawley.
A recent report by The Age newspaper highlighted how the number of Australian children playing tennis had climbed by nearly 30% in the past year. Many of them are from Indigenous communities and many are girls.
“I’m really proud that I can be a small part of getting more kids into sport and chasing their dreams,” Barty told BBC Sport in January.
Barty took a break from tennis in 2014, citing its intense demands, and played in the inaugural season of cricket’s Women’s Big Bash League.
She said that was “a very different feeling” to her retirement on Wednesday, adding tennis had “given me all my dreams plus more”.
Belgian Justine Henin also retired from tennis while world number one at the age of 25 before announcing she would return to play 16 months later. She retired a second time the following year.
Fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters retired at the age of 23 in 2007 but returned two years later and went on to win three of her four Grand Slam singles titles after her comeback.
Source: BBC