Ashleigh Barty explains reason for retirement as tennis world pays tribute

Ash Barty bowed out having earned almost $24 million in career prize money and as a national hero having ended a 44-year wait for a home winner at the Australian Open in January by beating American Danielle Collins in the final.

Ashleigh Barty. (Source: Twitter)

Australia's world number one Ash Barty has retired at the age of 25 and at the peak of her game, citing the fulfilment of her tennis goals and fatigue with life on the Tour. She quits with 15 titles, less than two months after winning the Australian Open, her third Grand Slam singles triumph following Wimbledon in 2021 and the 2019 French Open.

"I know how much work it takes to bring the best out of yourself ... I don't have that in me anymore, I don't have the physical drive, the emotional want and everything it takes to challenge yourself at the very top level any more. I am spent." she said in a video posted on her Instagram account on Wednesday (March 23).

It marks Barty's second retirement from the sport, having walked away from the game as a teenager in late-2014 after becoming disaffected by the Tour. She returned in 2016 and rose rapidly up the rankings, earning global acclaim for her brilliant tennis and fans' affection for her unfailing good sportmanship and laid-back demeanour. She spent a total of 121 weeks as world number one and appeared destined for more success in the game's biggest tournaments.

However, she never made any secret of her dislike for the touring life and her battles with homesickness. "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, being away from my home, which is where I've always wanted to be," she said in the video , interviewed by her close friend and former doubles partner Casey Dellacqua.

"I'll never, ever stop loving tennis, it's been a massive 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."

Barty's retirement triggers tributes from players and officials

Barty suffered depression on the Tour after turning professional as a teenager, leading her to quit and briefly reinvent herself as a professional cricketer in her home state of Queensland. When the COVID-19 pandemic halted elite tennis in 2020, she took nearly a year off from the game to spend time with family rather than rejoin the circuit after it resumed. "I know I've done this before, but in a different feeling, I'm so grateful for tennis, it's given me all of my dreams, plus more, but I know the time is right now for me to step away and chase other dreams and to put the racquets down." she said.

She bows out having earned almost $24 million in career prizemoney and as a national hero having ended a 44-year wait for a home winner at the Australian Open in January by beating American Danielle Collins in the final. As the second Aboriginal Australian to win a Grand Slam title, following in the footsteps of the great Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Barty has also become an idol for her country's Indigenous population.

What a legend @ashbarty .. tennis will miss you .. unbelievable role model on and off the court .. good luck mate for this next phase #inspiration

— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) March 23, 2022

India's tennis star Sania Mirza paid her respect to the 2022 Australian Open champ, "What a legend @ashbarty.. tennis will miss you .. unbelievable role model on and off the court .. good luck mate for this next phase. #inspiration" she tweeted.  

Happy for @ashbarty gutted for tennis what a player

— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) March 23, 2022

"Happy for @ashbarty, gutted for tennis," said Briton Andy Murray. "What a player."

WTA press release on Ash Barty’s retirement announcement.

"We wish Ash only the very best and know that she will continue to be a tremendous ambassador for the sport of tennis as she embarks on this new chapter of her life. We will miss her.” - WTA Chairman & CEO Steve Simon. pic.twitter.com/wiiDDBHvKk

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 23, 2022

WTA boss Steve Simon said Barty always led by example "through the unwavering professionalism and sportsmanship she brought to every match. With her accomplishments at the Grand Slams, WTA Finals, and reaching the pinnacle ranking of No.1 in the world, she has clearly established herself as one the great champions of the WTA."

Ash, what can I say, you know I have tears right? My friend, I will miss you on tour. You were different, and special, and we shared some amazing moments. What's next for you? Grand Slam champion in golf?! Be happy and enjoy your life to the max xo Simo@ashbarty pic.twitter.com/WbX7kXnJ1l

— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) March 23, 2022

Ash, I have no words... actually you are showing your true class leaving tennis in this beautiful way.

I am so happy I could share the court with you.. tennis will never be the same without you! I admire you as a player and a person.. wishing you only the best! @ashbarty

— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) March 23, 2022

Her retirement echoes Justine Henin's decision to quit in 2008 as a 25-year-old world number one with seven Grand Slam titles. Henin came out of retirement in 2010, inspired by fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters' comeback. 2005 U.S. Open champion Clijsters retired in 2007 at the age of 23 but returned after a two-year hiatus to claim another three Grand Slam titles.

(with Reuters inputs)