Sydney – At the end of her retirement message, the number one in the world tennis rankings had to cry after all.
Ashleigh Barty had spent a good five minutes bravely and in remarkable words explaining why, in a complete surprise to the public, she was ending her career a month before her 26th birthday and wanted to “chase other dreams” in future.
At the end of the conversation with her former doubles partner Casey Dellacqua, the latter thanked the Australian, reminisced about the many great moments and suggested a hug – there were then emotions too great not only Down Under on this special Wednesday for the sport.
At the top of the world rankings for 114 weeks now
So the 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) Australian Open win over Danielle Collins on 29 January was her last appearance as an active player. For the first time since 1978, Barty had secured a home triumph in Melbourne. She had previously won Wimbledon (“That was my dream. The one big dream in tennis”) and the French Open.
The Ipswich-born right-hander has also been at the top of the world rankings for 114 weeks – only three players have had a longer run than her: Steffi Graf (186), Serena Williams (186) and Martina Navratilova (156). In total, she has been the world number one for 121 weeks, winning 25 of the past 26 matches. Barty is at her peak and still young. Nevertheless, she is calling it a day – because she can’t and doesn’t want to anymore.
“I don’t have it in me anymore. The physical drive, that emotional desire and everything it takes to put yourself at the absolute top. I’m spent,” Barty said. “I gave it my all and that to me is success. I’m very happy with that. I know people might not understand that. That’s OK.”
At 18, she had already put her career on hold for almost two years because of the pressure and too much travelling, and played professional cricket during the break. “I know I’ve done it before, but in a completely different feeling,” she said now. “I am so grateful for everything tennis has given me. It has fulfilled all my dreams, and more. But I know the time is right for me to step back and chase other dreams and put the racket down.”
WTA chief executive Steve Simon paid tribute to Barty as one of the WTA’s “great champions” and wished her well. “We will miss her.”
Australians sad and grateful
In Australia, news of the career ending spread like wildfire. Media Down Under spoke of a “shocking announcement”. The Premier of Queensland, where Barty was born, congratulated the 25-year-old on Twitter for her “incredible career”. Barty was “a champion on and off the tennis court” as well as a great role model, Annastacia Palaszczuk stressed. “Thank you for inspiring all of us to do our best.”
In her remarkable explanation, Barty then went on to explain that after the break she no longer defined success in terms of results. “In the second phase of my career, there was this awareness that my happiness is not dependent on results. Success for me is knowing I gave it my all,” she said. “It’s important now that I enjoy this next phase of my life as Ash Barty the human being. Not as Ash Barty the athlete.”
PM: “You inspired the nation”
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison personally thanked Barty for her achievements. “It was great to speak to you today Ash Barty and just say thank you Ash,” Morrison wrote in a tweet.
“Thank you for inspiring the nation. You just have class,” the government leader paid tribute. The athlete’s achievements would be celebrated for all time. “On behalf of all Australians, I wish you and your fiancé Garry nothing but the best for your marriage and your new life together. “
