Thunderbolt for world women's tennis.
The world No.1 in women's tennis Ashleigh Barty surprised us on Wednesday by announcing her early retirement, at just 25 years old, declaring that she had realized her dreams and was "absolutely exhausted".
"I'm so happy, and I'm so ready and I just know now in my heart that as a person it's the right decision," the Australian said, in tears, in a video message made alongside of his former doubles partner, Casey Dellacqua.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Ash Barty (@ashbarty)
At the top of the WTA rankings since September 2019, Barty has won 15 singles titles in his career, including three Grand Slams (Roland-Garros 2019, Wimbledon 2021, Australian Open 2022).
In January, she became the first Australian in 44 years to win in Melbourne, joining the closed club of sacred Grand Slam players on three different surfaces.
“I am satisfied, I am happy”
“Success for me is knowing that I gave it my all, everything I could.
I am fulfilled, I am happy, and I know how much work it takes to give the best of yourself, ”explained Barty who also has twelve titles in doubles, including one Grand Slam (US Open 2018). .
“I just don't have that in me anymore.
I no longer have the physical energy, the emotional will and everything it takes to surpass myself at the highest level, "she continued, adding that she was" absolutely exhausted ", statements that echo the torments psychology of the Japanese Naomi Osaka, former world No.1.
Read also“It happened to me to cry, alone”: Thierry Henry evokes depression among footballers
Barty, one of the most respected and beloved players on the women's tour, first made a name for herself on the WTA Tour in doubles, with her dizzying array of strokes and physical stamina.
She started playing tennis as a child in Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland, and won the Wimbledon Junior Championship title aged 15 in 2011.
Like Evert, Navratilova, Graf and Serena Williams
But expectations of success got the better of her, and three years later she gave up tennis for cricket, playing in the Australian Women's Professional Championship.
She returned to tennis after a season's absence, signing her first Grand Slam triumph at Roland-Garros in 2019 and becoming the world's first No.1 Australian since Evonne Goolagong-Cawley 50 years earlier.
Read alsoAshleigh Barty, new queen of the Australian Open after her success against Collins in the final
She confirms by winning at Wimbledon in 2021, before her triumph at the Australian Open in Melbourne in January.
Only before her Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf and Serena Williams had finished three years in a row at the top.
“To be able to win Wimbledon was my dream, my only real dream in tennis.
It really changed my perspective.
I had this intuition after Wimbledon and I spoke about it a lot to my team” confessed the champion.
“There was just a small part of me that wasn't quite happy (…) And then came the challenge of the Australian Open and I think for me that's the most perfect way " to leave.
Rain of tributes
The WTA, the body that oversees the women's circuit, hailed "an incredible ambassador for the sport": "Thank you, @ashbarty, for the indelible mark you have left on the court, off the court and in our hearts", said she said on Twitter.
“I will miss you, my friend, you are different, special and we have lived incredible moments together”, for her part explained the Romanian Simona Halep who wonders if her former rival will not “win a Grand Slam title. in golf", his other passion.
Scotsman Andy Murray said he was “happy for Ashleigh but disgusted for tennis”: “What a player!
»
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
The reactions to this announcement were not limited to the world of tennis.
"I want to thank you, Ash, for inspiring a country, for inspiring a nation, at a time when this country really needed a boost," Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
The Australian said after her victory at the Australian Open that she wanted to take time to reflect on her career, thus touring the United States in Indian Wells and Miami.
She got engaged last year to her longtime boyfriend, Garry Kissick, who was always in the stands when she played.