A shock was sent through the tennis world on Tuesday when Ash Barty announced her sudden retirement from the sport.
Barty posted an interview with Casey Dellacqua on her Instagram page. Barty will be 26 in April and is at the top of her game. Despite being 25 (26 in April) and at the top of her game, Barty announced that she’s leaving the sport.
“I’ll be retiring from tennis. It’s the first time I’ve actually said it out loud and it’s hard to say. But I’m so happy and I’m so ready. And I just know in the moment, for me as a person, this is right … I’m so grateful to everything tennis has given me. It’s given me all of my dreams plus more. But I know that the time is right now for me to step away and chase other dreams and put the rackets down.”
The retirement comes as a surprise. Barty is the No. 1-ranked women’s tennis player in the world. Furthermore, Barty is the reigning Wimbledon champion and just won the 2022 Australian Open not even two months ago. Those two grand slam championship titles, along with her French Open win in 2009, leave Barty needing only a US Open win to clinch a career Grand Slam, something only 10 women have done.
With all of that in mind, Dellacqua asked the obvious question: Why?
Barty answered.
“I’ve had a lot of incredible moments in my career that have been pivotal moments. Wimbledon last year changed a lot for me as a person and for me as an athlete. When you work so hard your whole life for one goal. And I’ve been able to share that with so many incredible people. But to be able to win Wimbledon, which was my dream, the one true dream that I wanted in tennis, that really changed my perspective.”
“I just had that gut feeling after Wimbledon and had spoken to my team quite a lot about it. There was just a little part of me that wasn’t quite satisfied — wasn’t quite fulfilled. Then came the challenge of the Australian Open. That for me feels like the most perfect way — my perfect way — to celebrate what an amazing journey my tennis career as been. As a person, this is what I want. I want to chase after some other dreams that I’ve always wanted to do.”
Barty’s sudden retirement drew an impassioned reaction from fans.
Wouldn’t have believed it if it were any other athlete, but Ash Barty is going to Ash Barty. Her ability to walk through life completely untethered to what other people think is admirable, rare and inspiring.
Perfect interview with @caseydellacqua. She’ll be missed on tour.
— Blair Henley (@BlairHenley) March 23, 2022
Congratulations on an incredible career Ash Barty 🙌
A champion on and off the court and such a role model.
From Ipswich and the western suburbs of Brisbane to the world stage.
Thank you for inspiring us all to be our best. pic.twitter.com/gG4KXrEbnt
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@a_palaszczuk) March 23, 2022
Congratulations Ash Barty on an amazing career, capped off with an incredible Australian Open win.
Always hit the court with such amazing drive and will be long remembered in Australian sporting history. pic.twitter.com/aDhW46sv4I
— Greg Hunt (@TheHonGregHunt) March 23, 2022
I love how Ash Barty has never defined herself by the work she does, the sport she plays. I love how she walks away when it’s not as much fun as it should be – and then walks into something else and is even stronger. Life lessons. Go well, Ash. @ashbarty
— Virginia Trioli (@LaTrioli) March 23, 2022
That cheeky smile will forever be etched in the hearts of Aussies. Thanks Ash Barty, here’s hoping you reach all the other goals you have in life. 🎾 💙 pic.twitter.com/ZXqyfpyJwb
— Wazza from Melbourne (@Melbourne_says) March 23, 2022
🎾Roland Garros Champion (2019)
🎾Wimbledon Champion (2021)
🎾Australian Open Champion (2022)
🎾US Open Doubles Champion (2018)
🎾WTA Finals Champion (2019)
🎾WTA 1000 Champion (3x)
🎾15 WTA Titles
🎾World No. 1 (since June 2019)Take a bow, Ash Barty. pic.twitter.com/LxeDFI2Agu
— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) March 23, 2022
Whatever Barty does next, she’ll be bringing a lot of fans along.
