Tennis: Women's World No 1 Ashleigh Barty Announces Retirement At 25

The number one player in women's tennis, Australia's Ashleigh Barty has announced that she will be quitting the sport in a tearful message on social media. She is 25-year-old. Barty dropped this news weeks after becoming the first home-grown champion of the Australian Open in 44 years. She is known to have won Grand Slams on three different surfaces- clay, grass and hard court.

She uploaded a video of herself sitting with her good friend Casey Dellacqua, who is the former Australian number one tennis player and a broadcaster. Barty in the caption of the video wrote, "Today is difficult and filled with emotion for me as I announce my retirement from tennis. I wasn't sure how to share this news with you so I asked my good friend @caseydellacqua to help me."

Barty also expressed her gratitude toward people who had helped in shaping her tennis career, writing, "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." Tomorrow she will be holding a press conference.

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Tennis world reacts as Ashleigh Barty retires

Reacting to her retirement announcement, the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) tweeted, "Thank you for being an incredible ambassador for this sport and for women around the world. We will miss you so much, Ash."

Romanian tennis player Simona Halep wrote, "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?! Be happy and enjoy your life to the max xo Simo @ashbarty."

Tennis Australia congratulated the player for having an incredible career. "The tennis community especially in Australia will miss you dearly but is all the better for the standard you set as a person and a player. Forever a world No.1 role model," they tweeted.

Barty has been in the number one position for more than two years. Her retirement comes after she has won three Grand Slam singles titles--the French Open (2019), Wimbledon (2021) and the Australian Open (2022). Last year, she got engaged with her long-term boyfriend Garry Kissick.

(Feature Image Credit: USA Today)