Tennis legends from around the globe have praised Ash Barty's distinguished career after she announced she would hang up her racquet, describing her as a role model on and off the court.
Look back at the reaction to Barty's retirement in the blog below.
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By Nicholas McElroy
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As always, thanks for following along.
By Nicholas McElroy
Barty leaves a lasting impression on next generation of Australian players, Queensland tennis boss says
Tennis Queensland general manager Elia Hill says Barty has been a great role model though out her career.
"She's been a part of so many young girls' formative years… and that's going to stay with them for so long," Ms Hill said.
"I mean, I've got a young daughter who absolutely loves Ash Barty ... and I think it will be more [about] what she's done to get them on court, so it's been more that inspiration that they are not going to forget."
By Nicholas McElroy
One Plus One. World Number 1 Ash Barty: There are 'so many different ways to win a tennis match'
Tennis world number one Ashleigh Barty's rise to the top hasn't been straightforward.
Considered the next big thing in the sport, she turned her back on tennis after winning Junior Wimbledon at 15, saying "I needed to find myself".
But in 2016 she returned to the court – and in no time at all zipped up the rankings to number one, becoming French Open Champion and winning Wimbledon along the way.
In 2020, before winning Wimbledon, she spoke to Kurt Fearnley about her love for the sport, the importance of family, and her dreams for the future.
By Nicholas McElroy
ANALYSIS: Ash Barty retires not just as a great of tennis, but as a much-loved Australian personality
With minimal fuss, on the couch with her best friend Casey Dellacqua, the grace of Barty’s retirement announcement broke all of our hearts in a way you couldn’t begrudge her.
As Andy Murray put it, the world number one’s retirement is "gutting" for tennis, but also for the nation which has rallied around a sportsperson who unites us like few others.
On and off the court, Barty was the people’s champion: humble in victory, gracious in defeat, identifiable by her down-to-earth personality and love of Australia’s favourite sports.
By Nicholas McElroy
Sublime, wonderful, thank you: Some of your comments
Knowing you are the best is wonderful, but knowing when it is time to let go is sublime. Ash Barty is awesome.
-Clive Dickinson
Congratulations Ash Barty! A towering human being, and a towering athlete. Athlete's of Ashe's ability don't come along all that often. One for the decades. A moment I can only compare to Shane Gould retiring at the top. We will always be in awe of you Ash, your achievements, your ability, and the integrity of your character and humanity.
-Lucy
What a wonderful person and we, the tennis players of the world are so lucky that she has chosen to play our beautiful game. I will miss her, we all will miss her but I think she has set a standard for sports behaviour around the world that every sports person should aspire to emulate. . I know I will. Thank You Ash....thank you....thank you.....thank you!!
-Bruce
Sad for tennis, wonderful to see an athlete so humble and so sure of her aims retire on her own terms. Thank you for the wonderful memories and good luck always.
-Bob
By Nicholas McElroy
Ash Barty's Australian Open victory doesn't define her self worth, says mindset coach
The Drum spoke to Barty's mindset coach, Ben Crowe, back in February.
Here he talks about Barty working finding a balance between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, or "between the human being and the human doing" as Crowe says.
By Nicholas McElroy
A tribute from Tigerland
Richmond FC: "Thank you for inspiring us all and good luck in the next chapter, @ashbarty. Always welcome at Tigerland *yellow heart emoji*"
Barty, a keen Tigers fan, present the AFL premiership cup to Richmond when they won the grand final in 2020.
The tribute is a great opportunity to share this reaction GIF.
By Jon Healy
Handing over
I'll leave you there team, but I'm leaving you in the capable hands of one Nicholas McElroy.
By Jon Healy
The pleasing symmetry between Ash and Evonne's Wimbledon runs
Ash Barty won her first (and only) Wimbledon title 50 years after Evonne Goolagong Cawley won her first (of two) trophies at SW19.
Goolagong was also the last Aussie woman before Barty to win at the All England Club, and the pair shared a bond as Indigenous women in the very white sport of tennis.
Russell Jackson wrote all about the connection the pair share when Barty won Wimbledon last year.
By Jon Healy
Some more kind words from the tennis world
2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens: We love you Ash!!!!!!
Aussie player Priscilla Hon: Legend forever
Doubles great Sania Mirza: What a legend @ashbarty .. tennis will miss you .. unbelievable role model on and off the court .. good luck mate for this next phase #inspiration
Two-time US Open champion and famed commentator 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.
French player Edouard Roger Vasselin: I've loved watching you play @ashbarty. Enjoy your time off the court
Ukrainian world number 20 Elina Monfils: Nothing but RESPECT for you Ash Barty!!! All the best in your retirement and congratulations on your distinguished career!
By Jon Healy
2022 the year of Aussie tennis retirement
Sam Stosur has retired from singles and will retire from doubles at year's end.
Dylan Alcott retired altogether after the final of this year's Australian Open.
And now Ash Barty is abandoning us!
By my count, that's 35 major titles and four Olympic/Paralympic medals gone in a matter of months.
No pressure on the next generation.
By Jon Healy
No statue for Barty, but Queensland government has 'a project' in the works
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says Ash Barty doesn't want a statue.
Instead, she's revealed, rather cryptically, that Barty is working with the state government "on a project ... which I'm quite sure Queenslanders will support 100 per cent".
Intriguing.
By Jon Healy
A rare champion who is both loved and feared
As you can probably tell by the messages for Barty from her peers, this is a woman who has a near-universal approval rating.
Everyone gets well wishes after their retirement, but the tone of the messages from her rivals seem more sincere and heartfelt. She really is loved on and off tour, even by the people who she's kept from winning so often, as Russell Jackson wrote after her Australian Open win this year.
By Jon Healy
And for balance...
Tanya Plibersek: Ash Barty has captured the nation’s heart as we’ve watched her play tennis and achieve her dreams. More importantly, she’s been a role model for people of all ages. Sad to see you retire from tennis Ash Barty, but I have no doubt you will continue to inspire in what you do next.
By Jon Healy
From the Office of the Prime Minister
Scott Morrison: Great to speak with Ash Barty today and simply say, ‘Thank you Ash’. Thank you for inspiring a nation. You are all class. Your achievements will be celebrated for all time. On behalf of all Australians, all the best to you & your fiancé Garry for your wedding & new life together.
By Jon Healy
Rafter thought Barty would retire last year
Aussie tennis great Pat Rafter says he spoke to Ash Barty after her loss in the semi-finals of last year's Australian Open and she basically told him she was eyeing retirement.
He said he thought she'd pack it in after winning Wimbledon in 2021.
Either way, he says dictating her own retirement, rather than being forced out by age, injury or inability will make the transition easier for Barty.
"She's gone out on her terms and that makes an easier transition into retirement.
"A lot of times people finish their careers and they're not quite sure what they fall on and actually who they are. Their identity becomes kind of lost. But she knows [what she wants].
"She's really strong willed. It's not so much stubborn, it's more that she knows what she wants in life and it's not tennis. It was part of her journey and now it's over. She wants to settle down and live a 'normal life'."
By Jon Healy
By Jon Healy
Anyone know a court in need of renaming?
Premiership-winning AFLW coach Bec Goddard has an idea. But considering the push to name the court after Barty's idol, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, I don't think Ash would be all that keen on this idea.
By Jon Healy
More love from Barty's rivals
Is there anyone who doesn't adore this woman?
Petra Kvitova: 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!
Karolina Pliskova: 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, Ash Barty. You will be missed.
Shelby Rogers: 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 Ash Barty.
