“I no longer have the physical drive, emotional hunger and all it takes to challenge yourself at the highest level. I’m ready,” Barty said in an interview on the WTA website. “It’s the first time I’ve said it out loud and it’s hard to say. But I’m happy and I’m so ready,” I told my ex-husband partner Casey Delaco.
“I know in my heart that this is the right thing to do. I am so grateful for everything tennis has given me. I have fulfilled all my dreams and more. But I know this is the time for me to say goodbye, stop my rackets and pursue other dreams.”
“I want to especially thank her for inspiring an entire generation.”
Barty won her first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in Paris in 2019. Last year she won Australian Wimbledon and early this year won the Australian Open. She won the doubles title at the 2018 US Open with American Coco Vandeweghe.
The Australian reached number one in the world rankings on June 24, 2019. She currently heads the WTA rankings since fall 2019. Altogether, she has been number one for 121 weeks.
to praise
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison praised Barty. “I want to especially thank her for inspiring an entire generation,” Morrison praised his compatriot, who has topped the rankings for the past two and a half years. It was one of the many tributes to the tennis star, who is also popular among her colleagues.
Barty, 25, became the second Aboriginal after Evonne Goolagong-Cawley in 2019 to win a Grand Slam title and thus the Prime Minister has also named him a role model for Aboriginal Australians. “All I can say is, thank you Ash. You are super class. On behalf of all Australians, I wish you and your fiancé Gary all the best for your new life together,” Morrison said.
Barty won her first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in Paris in 2019. Last year she won Wimbledon and earlier this year she won the Australian Open.
“With her performances in the major tournaments and her access to number one in the world rankings, she has positioned herself among the great champions,” said Steve Simon, President of the Women’s Tennis Association. “We wish Ash all the best and know that she will continue to be a great tennis ambassador as she embarks on this new chapter of her life. We will miss her.”
Fellows have also made themselves heard, especially on social media. “Ashes, what can I say? Tears in my eyes,” Tweet Simona Halep, two-time Grand Slam champion. “You were different, a very special person, I will miss you very much. What will your next goal be? Golf Champion?”
“I’m so glad I was on the right track with you. Two-time Grand Slam winner Petra Kvitova, Czech Republic, wrote, ‘Tennis wouldn’t be the same without you.'”
“I’m happy for Ashe, but sad about tennis. What a player,” tweeted Scotsman Andy Murray.
