Ashleigh Barty has revealed for the first time exactly why she made the shock decision to retire from tennis at just 25, only weeks after claiming Australian Open glory.
Speaking to News Corp ahead of the launch of her autobiography, My Dream Time, the beloved Australian great lifted the lid on the choice that stunned the country – and how reaching the pinnacle of her sport left her feeling that continuing to play was ‘pointless’.
“Winning Wimbledon was the single thing I wanted my whole career,’’ Barty told the Courier Mail.
“But after that feat, in June 2021, the fire died inside.
“The ceremony is still a blur to me. It was almost as if it was like an out-of-body experience.
“I see now that all sport is mountain climbing. We set our sights on a summit and, step by step, we trudge towards that peak… but what do we do when we reach the pinnacle – when we finally win our Grand Final or our World Cup or our Wimbledon?
“Do we stop, sit, enjoy the view and breathe? Do we take the time to appreciate what we’ve done, and move on to something new? No. In sport, we simply return to base camp every year and begin the journey of attempting to summit once again.”
For Barty, who finished her career in the midst of a 114-week consecutive streak as the World No.1 – the fourth-longest in WTA history – the biggest ‘red flag’ came in late 2021, when she hopped off an exercise bike mid-session – something she had ‘never done before’.
“I don’t quit. Ever,” Barty said.
“I’m physically capable but cannot be knackered.
“This sounds like a little thing, but it’s not – it’s a clear red flag.”
A conversation with hitting partner Ben Mathias soon after confirmed in her mind that it was time to step away.
“I don’t know what I’m playing for anymore. I think I’m done,” Barty told him.
“I have got nothing left, no spark.”
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Barty’s retirement was the final unorthodox act of one of tennis’ most remarkable careers. A talented junior, the Queenslander chose to walk away from the sport after the 2014 US Open at age 18, briefly pursuing a cricket career before being ready to return to tennis 18 months later.
From there, it has been near-constant success: Barty claimed her first grand slam title at the French Open in 2019, rose to number one in the world just weeks later, and finished with an eye-watering near-$23 million in prizemoney.
But none of that mattered to Barty during a conversation with mind coach Ben Crowe the morning after her second-round Australian Open win over Lucia Bronzetti, when she officially made her mind up.
“I had a chat with ‘Crowey’ and that was when I knew for sure I was done,” Barty said.
“I was excited and nervous and super keen for what would come next. In the time before I announced it I did become stressed because you wonder whether you have done the right thing but I am very happy with my decision.’’
Ever since Barty retired, speculation has been rife about a comeback at some point – but the 26-year old couldn’t be more content with life away from the game.
“The last six or seven months of my life have been everything I have ever wanted,” she said.
“I’m loving the way my life is at the moment. I won’t even be estranged from the tennis world.
“The other day I had a hit with some of the young girls… but I just won’t be out there for me.’’
Steven Harris
Come back Ash..
Stephen McAlpine
Guest
The polar opposite of this is Andre Agassi. His autobiography Open is an, er, eyeopener. Surprised he actually survived. I'd take Barty's trajectory any day.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The issue is Barty is 25 now and there is no growing young again if she changes her mind in the future or makes some financial missteps like Bjorn Borg did and forced to make a come back. There is no easier time to win championships and earn money than now in womens and mens tennis. If a superstar or two emerge in the next couple of years then opportunity is gone. The reverse could happen though and standards fall even further in womens. Mens on the other hand Alcaraz will lift the current difficulty even though he is nowhere big 3 quality. Kyrgios should take heed though if he was sensible he would have put in 100% got to the top and then retired early. Then he could have bought an NBL team and as owner forced the coach to play him.
Simoc
Guest
Its so fantastic that Barty can live the life that she wants and not what everyone else wants. She is an absolute gem in the all time world of sport. And also among the best tennis players ever. Congratulations Ash Barty. You are the BEST!