World No 1 Ashleigh Barty on Wednesday announed her retirement from tennis. She is 25 years old. 

The three-time Grand Slam winner made the announcement in a video posted on social media. 

“I’m so happy and I’m so ready. I just know at the moment in my heart for me as a person this is right. It’s the 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,” Barty told her former doubles partner Casey Dellacqua in the video interview. 

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Barty had recently won her home Australian Open. She has held the No 1 WTA rank 114 consecutive weeks.

“I don’t have the physical drive, the emotional want and everything it takes to challenge yourself at the very top of the level any more. I am spent,” she said. 

Reacting to Barty’s retirement, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said,  “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.”

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He added that her win at the Wimbledon and comeback in Australian Open this year. 

Ash Barty left tennis in 2014 to pursue cricket. She signed up with the Brisbane Heat for the inaugural Women’s Big Bash League. However, the 25-year-old returned to tennis two years layer and won her three major singles titles on three different surfaces. She aced the French Open in 2019 before winning Wimbledon last year and in Australia two months ago. 

Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) CEO Steve Simon said Barty clearly established herself as one of the great champions. 

Also read: ‘Tennis will never be the same’: Wishes pour in as Ashleigh Barty announces retirement

“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,” Simon said. 

Australia great Evonne Goolagong Cawley said, “I’m so supportive of Ash, and making a decision that is best for her and makes her happy. I can’t wait to see what the next chapter brings, and to watch Ash achieve her dreams post-tennis.”

“An incredible role model for so many, not only in our sport, and she’s always gone about her career in her own special way. Well done, Ash. A true Aussie legend,” Australian coach Darren Cahill said. 

Meanwhile, two-time Grand Slam winners Simona Halep and Petra Kvitova hailed Barty as a special player. 

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“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?!” Halep 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!” Kvitova said.