World’s No. 1 Tennis Player, Ash Barty Announces Early Retirement. This Is The Day Women’s Tennis Weeps.
There are some stories that break my heart even as I write them – this is one of those stories. Today, as I write about a legendary sportswoman, my heart breaks to share her news but am also happy that she has chosen herself over everything else. I’ll pick up the drapes. I’m referring to Ash Bart, World’s No. 1 tennis player, who shocked me and zillion other fans with her sudden retirement. The 25-year-old tennis player announced her early retirement in a video that she shared on her Instagram. And by the end of it, Ash Barty as well as I was in tears.
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March 23, 2022, marks the day when World’s No. 1 woman tennis player, Ashleigh Barty or popularly known as Ash Barty, announced her early retirement and left her fans shocked. In the video, the Australian athlete acknowledged that this is one of the most difficult and emotional decisions she has taken but it is the right one for her.
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Sharing the video wherein she announces her retirement, Ash Barty wrote, “Today is difficult and filled with emotion for me as I announce my retirement from tennis. I wasn’t sure how to share this news with you so I asked my good friend @caseydellacqua to help me. I am so thankful for everything this sport has given me and leave feeling proud and fulfilled. Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way, I’ll always be grateful for the lifelong memories that we created together ?”
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The tennis player announced her retirement after less than 2 months of becoming Australia’s first home-grown Australian Open champion in 44 years. To date, Ash Barty has won not one but three Grand Slams and has 15 titles to her name – including Wimbledon which is played on grass, and the French Open which is played on clay. So, you can imagine why her announcement comes as a shock.
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Speaking about why the 25-year-old decided to retire from tennis, Ash Barty said in the video, “I know how much work it takes to bring the best out of yourself … I don’t have that in me any more… 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.”
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Ash Barty on various occasions has expressed her dislike towards touring and always spoke about her battle with homesickness. In the video, The sportswoman, who previously had walked away from the limelight as a teenager in 2014 after being disaffected by the Tour and came back to light in 2016, spoke about herself as a person rather than a tennis player. She explained, “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… 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.”
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While concluding, the athlete who was conversing with Casey Dellacqua, a close friend and former doubles partner, said, “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.”
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Needless to say the announcement Ash Barty made left her colleagues and fans in a state of shock. In fact, a lot of them took to their social media handles to express how they felt a mix of emotions run through them when they heard the news.
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
Congrats on an incredible career Ash 🙏 It was a privilege to share a court with you. Wishing you all the best in your next chapter, @ashbarty. You will be missed 🥺❤️ pic.twitter.com/bpL20nIUJQ
— Karolina Pliskova (@KaPliskova) 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
An incredible tennis player but more importantly one of the nicest people on tour ♥️
Congratulations @ashbarty on an amazing career and good luck with what’s next! pic.twitter.com/Mhwzyf6nbX
— Madison Keys (@Madison_Keys) March 23, 2022
Happy for @ashbarty gutted for tennis 🎾 what a player❤️
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) March 23, 2022
It’s honestly a bittersweet feeling for me as much as it is for her. I’m happy that she chose herself and her as a person rather than her as an athlete but I weep for tennis. The sport lost one of its finest and there is no filling her space.
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