When you’ve given all you have to give and reached the top of your profession, what else is there to accomplish?
Ask Ashleigh Barty. The World No. 1 tennis player shocked the sports world by announcing her retirement—at age 25!—from the sport after winning three major singles titles in as many years.
“Today is difficult and filled with emotion for me as I announce my retirement from tennis,” the Australian said in an Instagram video.
“I am so thankful for everything this sport has given me and leave feeling proud and fulfilled. Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way, I’ll always be grateful for the lifelong memories that we created together.”
“There was a perspective shift in me in the second phase of my career, that my happiness wasn’t dependent on the results, and success for me is knowing I’ve given absolutely everything I can,” she added.
“I know how much work it takes to bring the best out of yourself. I’ve said it to my team multiple times, it’s just I don’t have that in me anymore. I don’t have the physical drive, the emotional want, and everything it takes to challenge yourself at the very top of the level anymore, and I just know that I am spent. I just know physically, I have nothing more to give. That, for me, is success.”
She said that she’d been contemplating retirement for “a long time” and made the decision after winning Wimbledon last year and the Australian Open this year as “my perfect way to celebrate what an amazing journey my tennis career has been.”
“Ash Barty, the person, has so many dreams that she wants to chase after that don’t necessarily involve traveling the world, being away from my family, being away from my home, which is where I’ve always wanted to be,” she said.
“Ashleigh Barty with her signature slice backhand, complemented by being the ultimate competitor, has always led by example through the unwavering professionalism and sportsmanship she brought to every match,” WTA chairman and CEO Steve Simon said in a press release.
“With her accomplishments at the Grand Slams, WTA Finals, and reaching the pinnacle ranking of No. 1 in the world, she has clearly established herself as one the great champions of the WTA.”
For her career, which began in 2010 but took a hiatus from 2014-2016, Barty has won 15 singles titles and 12 doubles titles on the WTA Tour.
