The tennis world continues to pay glowing tribute to Ash Barty following her shock retirement from the sport.
The reigning women’s No1 surprisingly announced on Wednesday that she was quitting tennis aged just 25 in order to “chase other dreams”.
Barty said in a video posted to her official Instagram account: “I know how much work it takes to bring the best out of yourself ... I don’t have that in me anymore.
“I don’t have the physical drive, the emotional want and everything it takes to challenge yourself at the very top level any more. I am spent.”
Barty’s stunning retirement comes just shy of two months since she became the first Australian to win an Australian Open singles title since 1978, beating American Danielle Collins 6-3 7-6 in a memorable final in Melbourne.
Barty’s first Grand Slam success came at the French Open in 2019, while in 2021 she became the first Australian woman to triumph at Wimbledon for 41 years.
Barty won her first WTA Tour title in 2017, having previously taken a 17-month break from tennis to play cricket with the Brisbane Heat during the inaugural Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) season.
She also took an 11-month hiatus from tennis in 2020, becoming the Brookwater Golf Club women’s champion in September of that year.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison led the tributes to the popular Barty on Wednesday, saying: “I particularly want to say 'thank you' to you, Ash, for inspiring a generation of young people and particularly a generation of young Indigenous people in this country.
"None of us will forget, of course, the triumphant win in Wimbledon and none of us will ever forget that incredible comeback down there at the Australian Open this year, which once again showed everybody what you can do when you really apply yourself."
WTA chairman Steve Simon said: “With her accomplishments at the Grand Slams, WTA Finals and reaching the pinnacle ranking of No.1 in the world, she has clearly established herself as one of the great champions of the WTA.
"We wish Ash only the very best and know that she will continue to be a tremendous ambassador for the sport of tennis as she embarks on this new chapter of her life. We will miss her.”
Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley told Sky News: “One of the highlights in my career was standing next to her after she won (the Australian Open) and I never would have thought that three months later we would have been having this conversation about Ash retiring.
"It’s once in a lifetime that someone like Ash comes along. But whatever she does, she’s going to achieve great things and we respect her decision."
Plenty of past and present players also paid tribute to Barty, with two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep adding: “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?!"
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
Petra Kvitova said: “"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!”
World No8 Karolina Pliskova said: “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."
Happy for @ashbarty gutted for tennis 🎾 what a player❤️
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) March 23, 2022
Andy Murray paid his own tribute, saying: “Happy for @ashbarty, gutted for tennis. What a player."
