Tennis star Ash Barty announces retirement

Ash Barty, the reigning Wimbledon singles champion and world No. 1, has announced her immediate retirement from professional tennis.

In a sad video uploaded on Instagram, alongside former doubles partner and lifelong friend Casey Dellacqua, Barty, 25, explained why she made the decision.

One of her main motivations was the feeling that she had given everything she had to the sport, both physically and emotionally, and that she had achieved her own ambitions.

Last year’s success at Wimbledon, a decade after she won the girl’s singles title at The All England Club, had a significant influence on her decision.

“Winning Wimbledon, which was my dream, the one true dream that I had in tennis,” Barty recalled, “truly transformed my outlook.”

“I simply had that gut sense after Wimbledon, and I’d talked about it a lot with my team.”

Barty’s final competitive action was a victory at the Australian Open, a victory that validated her desire to retire.

“On behalf of everyone at Wimbledon, I’d like to congratulate Ash on an incredible career and wish her all the best as she embarks on the next chapter of her life,” said All England Club Chairman Ian Hewitt.

“We will remember her tremendous achievements at Wimbledon fondly, notably her faultless display last year, which allowed her to realize her dream of becoming a Wimbledon champion.”

“It was a thrill to see her win the Australian Open and witness the heartfelt reaction both at home and abroad”.

“I hope she looks back on her numerous achievements in tennis with pleasure and satisfaction, notably her three Grand Slam singles victories”, he added.