"I'll never not be involved in this sport" - Ashleigh Barty on her love for tennis despite an early retirement

Every now and then Ashleigh Barty talks to media and despite not playing a tennis match in almost a year, her career is still the main topic.

The 26-year-old Australian retired from her professional tennis career last year after winning eleven consecutive matches to start the season. She often gets asked if she misses tennis or if she will ever come back, but usually, Barty is really sure about her decision.

"To be honest, I think what has surprised me most is how comfortable I’ve been,” Barty told The New York Times. “I think there was probably a normal fear or uncertainty in not knowing what my life would look like after tennis after being so focused. I was a bit unsure how I would deal with that because I am a person who likes to be organised."

She had a lot of time to realize that her life will be looking a bit different now and despite the realization, she knows she won't be returning to tennis courts, despite still being involved within the sport.

“The more time I’ve had to sit and think and absorb this year, I think it is never in the sense of me competing professionally again,” Barty said. “But I’ll never not be involved in this sport. So I think that’s where I’ll always get my tennis fix, that taste of the sport that gave me so much.”