World No.1 Ashleigh Barty announces shock retirement from tennis aged 25: "I don't have it in me anymore"
WTA
World No.1 Ashleigh Barty has announced her shock retirement from professional tennis at the age of just 25.
Barty, the reigning Wimbledon and Australian Open champion revealed the news in an Instagram video recorded with friend and former doubles partner Casey Dellacqua saying that she was retiring from the sport to 'chase other dreams'.
"I kind of wasn't quite sure how I was going do this but I think so many times in my life both my professional and my personal, you've been there for me," Barty told Dellacqua.
"And I just couldn't think 'there's no right way, there's no wrong way'. It's just my way and this is perfect for me to share it with you to talk to you about it with my team, my loved ones, that I'll be retiring from tennis.
"And so first time I've actually said it out loud and yeah, it's hard to say, but I'm so happy and I'm so ready and I just know at the moment in my heart for me as a person, this is right."
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She said that winning Wimbledon which was part of her big year away from home where she sacrificed seeing family to commit to the tour after spending most of 2020 out gave her new perspective.
"I've had a lot of incredible moments in my career that have been pivotal moments," Barty said. "Wimbledon last year changed a lot for me as a person and for me as an athlete when you work so hard your whole life for one goal, and I've been able to share that with so many incredible people.
"But to be able to win Wimbledon, which was my dream, my one true dream that I wanted in tennis, that really changed my perspective."
This is the second time that Barty has retired with the current World Number One switching to cricket in 2014 and also has an impeccible handicap in golf.
It is unknown yet whether she will play another sport but said there would be 'more to come tomorrow' at a press conference. But in the statement, she detailed that the desire isn't there anymore.
"I've said it to my team multiple times, I don't have it 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 anymore. I just know I am spent, I know physically I have nothing more to give and that for me is success. I've given everything I can to this beautiful sport of tennis and I'm really happy with that - and, for me, that is my success.
"I know people may not understand it and I'm okay with that because I know Ash Barty the person has so many dreams she wants to chase after which don't involve travelling the world, being away from my family, being away from my home, where I've always wanted to be.
"I'll never stop loving tennis, it will always be a massive part of my life, but now I think it's important that I get to enjoy the next phase of my life as Ash Barty the person, not Ash Barty the athlete.
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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