At the end of her resignation message, the number one in the world tennis rankings had to cry.
Ashleigh Barty bravely and in remarkable words explained for a good five minutes why she surprisingly ended her career a month before her 26th birthday and would like to “chase other dreams” in the future.
At the end of the conversation with her former doubles partner Casey Dellacqua, she thanked the Australian, remembered the many great moments and suggested a hug – the emotions were then not only too great Down Under on this special Wednesday for sport .
The 6: 3, 7: 6 (7: 2) at the Australian Open on January 29 against Danielle Collins was her last appearance as an active player. For the first time since 1978, Barty had ensured a home triumph in Melbourne. She had previously won Wimbledon (“That was my dream. The one big dream in tennis”) and the French Open.
The Ipswich-born right-hander has also been at the top of the world rankings for 114 weeks – only three players have had a longer streak than her: Steffi Graf (186), Serena Williams (186) and Martina Navratilova (156). In total, she was number one in the world for 121 weeks, winning 25 of the past 26 matches. Barty is at his peak and still young. Nevertheless, she breaks up – because she can no longer and does not want to.
Barty admits: “I’m exhausted”
“I don’t have that in me anymore. The physical drive, that emotional desire and everything it takes to put yourself at the absolute top. I’m wasted,” Barty said. “I gave everything and that’s success for me. I’m very happy with that. I know that people might not understand that. That’s okay.”
At the age of 18 she had already put her career on hold for almost two years due to the pressure and too much travel and played cricket professionally during the break. “I know I’ve done this before, but with a completely different feeling,” she said. “I am so grateful for everything tennis has given me. It has fulfilled all my dreams and more. But I know the time has come to step back and chase other dreams and put down the racquet.”
WTA boss Steve Simon recognized Barty as one of the “great champions of the WTA” and wished her well. “We will miss you.”
Australians sad and grateful
In Australia, the news of the end of his career spread like wildfire. Media Down Under spoke of a “shocking announcement”. The Prime Minister of Queensland, where Barty was born, took to Twitter to congratulate the 25-year-old on her “incredible career”. Barty is “a champion on and off the tennis court” and a great role model, emphasized Annastacia Palaszczuk. “Thank you for inspiring us all to do our best.”
In her remarkable justification, Barty then also explained that after the break she no longer defined success in terms of results. “In the second phase of my career there was this awareness that my happiness does not depend on the results. Success for me is knowing that I gave everything,” she said. “It’s important now that I get to enjoy this next phase of my life as Ash Barty the person. Not Ash Barty the athlete.”
Prime Minister: “You inspired the nation”
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison personally thanked Barty for her services. “It was great talking to you today Ash Barty and just saying, ‘Thank you Ash,'” Morrison wrote in a tweet.
“Thank you for inspiring the nation. You’re just great,” said the head of government. The athlete’s achievements would be celebrated forever. “On behalf of all Australians, I wish you and your fiancé Garry all the best in your marriage and in your new life together.”