Ashleigh Barty stunned the sporting world on Wednesday when she announced her retirement from professional tennis, barely two months after winning the Australian Open.
© PA Images Ashleigh Barty photo session after Australian Open victory
The 25-year-old not only quits the sport as the reigning Australian Open champion, but she is also the reigning Wimbledon champion while she bows out while being world No 1 in the WTA Rankings.
In fact, it was when she fulfilled a lifelong dream last July when she won Wimbledon when her perspective changed.
“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 I’d spoken to my team quite a lot about it,” she said.
Ash Barty news: World No 1 and reigning Wimbledon and Australian Open champion retires
Naturally Barty’s colleagues have paid tribute to her as she was, after all, considered one of the nicest players on the tennis circuit.
Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray was “gutted”.
Happy for @ashbarty gutted for tennis what a player
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) March 23, 2022
Former world No 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep joked about Barty’s next adventure.
“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,” she wrote.
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
Halep’s former coach Darren Cahill also praised his compatriot.
An incredible role model for so many not only in our sport, and she’s always gone about her career in her own special way. Well done, Ash. A true Aussie legend https://t.co/pnmaUjTPBe
— Darren Cahill (@darren_cahill) March 23, 2022
American Shelby Rogers described her as “one of the best human beings I’ve ever met”, she wrote: “What a legend. Incredible inspiration on and off the court. One of the best human beings I’ve ever met.”
What a legend. Incredible inspiration on and off the court. One of the best human beings I’ve ever met.
Our number 1! Best of luck @ashbarty
— Shelby Rogers (@Shelby_Rogers_) March 23, 2022
Another former world No 1 in Karolina Pliskova, who finished runner-up to Barty at Wimbledon last year, also took to Twitter to pay tribute.
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
Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova was another who was happy to have shared a court with the Australian.
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
American Madison Keys was another one who described her as “one of the nicest people on tour”.
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
Ditto tennis icon Tracy Austin.
Happy for you, @ashbarty to go out on your terms but the tennis world will miss a great champion. Love your elegant, athletic style of play and have always been impressed with the way you handle yourself on and off the court. Enjoy the next chapter.
— Tracy Austin (@thetracyaustin) March 23, 2022
Barty’s fellow Australian and Australian Open men’s doubles champion Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Respect it @ashbarty
— Thanasi Kokkinakis (@TKokkinakis) March 23, 2022
Former doubles world No 1 Sania Mirza, who has won three women’s doubles Grand Slam titles and three mixed doubles Grand Slam titles.
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
Farewell Ashleigh Barty, the tennis world will dearly miss you.
