World number one Ashleigh Barty retirement was a shock to the sporting world. The abrupt announcement left many wondering.
The Australian athlete is a former professional tennis player and cricketer. She won three Grand Slam singles events, including the 2022 Australian Open in January.
For the first time in 44 years, Ashleigh won the Australian Open singles championship.
In 2019, she became world number one, a position she has held for 114 consecutive weeks. Only three other players, Steffi Graf, Serena Williams, and Martina Navratilova, have recorded more.
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What Is The Reason Behind Ashleigh Barty Retirement?
In February, Ashleigh Barty shocked the tennis world by announcing she would retire from professional tennis at only 25. She made the statement on social media, saying she was quitting to “chase other dreams.”
The decision came just weeks after winning the Australian Open. In a farewell interview, Ashleigh admitted that she fulfilled her tennis ambitions when she won Wimbledon in 2021. The Australian Open was the icing on the cake.
Ashleigh added that she was “absolutely spent” and had nothing more to give physically. The Australian said she was happy about the decision even though people might not understand it.
The Ipswich native shared that she had many dreams that did not necessarily involve traveling the world and being away from her home and family. She had been suffering from depression and homesickness.
Ashleigh thanked everyone for the support and lifelong memories, saying it was time for her to leave.
What Is Ashleigh Barty Doing Now?
Former tennis star Ashleigh Barty has been embarking on a new career venture outside the world of sports. She is currently working as an author.
In an exclusive interview with NewsCorp media, she revealed that she would publish a series of children’s books and a memoir.
The children’s book, called Little Ash, will be a six-part series loosely based on her life and experiences with her family. Likewise, her memoir is called My Dream Time.
In the interview, the three-time Grand Slam Champion said she got inspired to write by her five-year-old niece, Lucy.
Besides, the 27-year-old keeps busy with her new Optus job, becoming their Chief of Inspiration and a National Indigenous Tennis Ambassador.
Moreover, Ashleigh married Garry Kissick, her boyfriend since 2017, on July 23.
Following her decision to hang up her racket, there had been many speculations regarding her next career move.
Some believed Ashleigh would move to golf, while some thought she would return to professional cricket. However, her career plan was something very different.
Ashleigh Barty Injury And Health Update
Ashleigh Barty is fit and healthy as of September 2023. She was known for having mental health issues, including depression, during her tennis career but is focusing on her family and alone time after retirement.
Ashleigh trains at home, but it is for fun and general fitness. “I’m not training to be an athlete anymore,” she said. She added that she is still trying to push herself but no more has a white-line fever.
The former WTA world number one recently ruled out the possibility of returning to tennis or any other sport. She also denied plans of doing a commentary gig or becoming a jockey. “Never. Never might be my new favorite word,” she said.
Ashleigh has discussed her life post-retirement, where she has spent quality time with her family, including her husband, nieces and nephew.
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