Australian tennis player Ash Barty announces retirement at 25. Here's why

Australian tennis player Ashleigh Barty stunned the tennis world on Wednesday when she announced her retirement from the game. She made the decision at the zenith of her career; at a point when she was the world’s no. 1 woman singles player.

In a tearful conversation with her friend and former doubles partner, Casey Dellacqua, Ash broke this news. She said she had been thinking over this for a long time and she now feels that she doesn’t have it in her anymore.

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Barty has won three grand slam titles till now. She is also the second Australian to reach no. 1 status in WTA rankings after aboriginal women Evonne Goolagong Cawley. Her first Grand slam title at the French Open came in 2019. She became the first Australian woman in 46 years to win at Rolland Garres.

Now the big question is: Why did Ash Barty called it quits when she was at the peak of her career?

Here are the answers as per Ash Barty

1. NO PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL DRIVE

Talking to her close friend and doubles partner Casy Dellacqua, Ash said that she doesn’t have the physical drive and the emotional want to continue anymore. She said that at present she lacks everything that it takes to challenge herself in the game. “I am spent. Physically, I have nothing to give. I don’t have it in me anymore. I just know, I am spent,” Ash said.

2. RIGHT TIME TO CHASE OTHER DREAMS

For Ash, winning the Wimbledon Title was the biggest dream of her career which she accomplished in 2021. She said that winning the Wimbledon title changed her life. “The one true dream that fully changed my perspective”, she said. But now, she wanted to do something else. She said,” I want to chase other dreams and I am really excited for that”.

She said the challenge at Australian Open was the perfect way to celebrate her career and after that she had decided to hang the boots.

3. 'PART OF ME UNSATISFIED'

Ash said that though she won the Wimbledon title, her biggest dream; yet she felt a little dissatisfied from within. She said she had a gut feeling after winning the Wimbledon and also spoke to other teammates on this. “There was part of me, that wasn’t satisfied and quite fulfilled”, Ash said.

4. HAPPINESS NO LONGER DEPENDENT ON THE RESULTS

Ash said that there was also a significant perspective shift in her. “My happiness wasn’t always dependent on results,” Ash said. She said success is knowing that she gave everything to the game. "I said it to my team that I am spent. I have given absolutely everything I can,”. Ash said.

She also said that she will now get to enjoy the next phase of her life as Ash Barty the person and not Ash Barty the athlete. The Woman Tennis Association also paid a tribute to Ash after retirement announcement.

For every young girl that has looked up to you.For every one of us that you've inspired.For your love of the game.Thank you, @ashbarty for the incredible mark you've left on-court, off-court and in our hearts ? pic.twitter.com/6wp9fmO439

— wta (@WTA) March 23, 2022