Ashleigh Barty, the world’s number one tennis player, announced on Wednesday that she was retiring at the age of 25.
Barty made the shocking announcement weeks after becoming the first Australian Open champion in 44 years, joining tennis royalty’s most exclusive club with three Grand Slam titles on three different surfaces.
It’s hard for her because she’s retiring from tennis, she said in a video on Instagram.
Barty said she was “thankful for everything this sport has given me.”
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It makes me happy, and I’m ready, and I know that right now, as a person, this is right. I’m so grateful for all that tennis has given me. It has given me all of my dreams and more.
“But I know that now is the time for me to move on to other things and put the racquets down. I want to do that.”
Barty has been the world’s number one tennis player in the last two years, but he is retiring now that he has won three Grand Slam singles titles. He won the French Open in 2019, Wimbledon in 2021, and the Australian Open in 2018.
As the Women’s Tennis Association tweeted, “Thank you for being a great advocate for this sport and women worldwide.” This is what they said. “Ash, we will miss you so much. We love you.”
With her dizzying array of slices, precise serve, and perfect forehand, Barty quickly became the best player on tour. She quickly became the best because of her all-around game.
Late last year, she got engaged to her longtime boyfriend, Garry Kissick. Kissick was always at the courtside when she played, and he often sent her supportive messages on social media.
