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Ashleigh Barty, the world’s number one, has announced her retirement from tennis after victory three major singles titles in the last three years. “Today is a difficult and emotional day for me as I reveal my retirement from tennis,” the 25-year-old Australian wrote in the caption of an Instagram post on Wednesday. “I’m grateful for everything this sport has given me and walk away feeling proud and fulfilled. Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way; I’ll be forever grateful for the lifelong memories we’ve made together.” The post included a video, shot with retired Australian tennis player Casey Dellacqua, in which Barty explains her decision in greater detail.
“There was a shift in my perspective in the second phase of my career, that my happiness was not dependent on the results, and success for me is knowing I’ve given absolutely everything I can,” she explained.
“I understand how much effort it takes to bring out the best in yourself. I’ve told my team several times that I don’t have that in me anymore. I don’t have the physical drive, emotional desire, or everything else it takes to compete at the highest level anymore, and I just know I’m done. I just know that physically, I don’t have anything else to offer. That is success in my opinion.”
She added that she had been contemplating retirement for “a long time,” and that her decision was solidified after winning Wimbledon last year and the Australian Open this year. Those victories were “the perfect way to celebrate what an interesting adventure my tennis career has been,” she said.
She stated that the decision was difficult but felt right. “Ash Barty, the person, has so many dreams that she wants to pursue 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.”
In a news release, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) confirmed her retirement.
“Ashleigh Barty, with her signature slice backhand and being the ultimate competitor, has always led by eg through the unwavering professionalism and sportsmanship she brought to every match,” WTA chairman and CEO Steve Simon said in a statement.
“With her achievements at the Grand Slams, WTA Finals, and reaching the pinnacle ranking of No. 1 in the world, she has clearly established herself as one of the WTA’s great champions.”
Barty has three major singles titles to his name: the French Open in 2019, Wimbledon in 2021, and the Australian Open in 2022. She has 15 WTA Tour singles titles and 12 doubles titles to her name, and she was the first Australian to win the Australian Open singles title since 1978.
She is only the 2nd reigning World No. 1 in women’s tennis to retire at the top, after Justine Henin in 2008.
According to the WTA, Barty, who began her professional tennis career in 2010, took a break from the sport from 2014 to 2016, citing “too much too soon.” She was only 18 at the time and said she wanted to “experience life as a normal teenaged girl.”
