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'Classy till the end': Sporting world reacts to Ash Barty retirement

Riley Morgan
·Sports Reporter
·4-min read
Ash Barty (pictured) breaks down in tears after winning the Wimbledon title.
The sport world has reacted with shock after Ash Barty's (pictured) sudden retirement from tennis. (Getty Images)

The tennis world has reacted in utter disbelief as Australian World No.1 Ash Barty has announced her shock retirement from tennis after her historic Australian Open title earlier this year.

Barty created history earlier this year when she became the first Australian to win the Aus Open title since Chris O'Neil in 1978.

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The three-time grand slam winner has spent 114 consecutive weeks as the World No.1.

Barty took time away from the game back in 2014 citing burnout.

However, she was back two years later and the beloved Aussie icon hasn't looked back having won three grand slams on three different surfaces.

Her shock announcement, in her prime at 25 years old, sparked the sport world to react with utter disbelief.

Ash Barty's amazing career

Barty won her maiden grand slam title at the French Open in 2019.

The 25-year-old said winning Wimbledon in 2021 fulfilled a lifelong dream.

The jewell in her crown was Evonne Goolagong Cawley presenting her the 2022 Australian Open title in front of a raucous home crowd.

"Hell of a surprise," Barty said of Goolagong Cawley's role in the ceremony.

"To be honest, I'm really glad that I didn't know because I think I would have been under the pump, I would've been feeling it.

Ash Barty (pictured) smiles as she poses with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after winning the Australian Open trophy.
Ash Barty (pictured) poses with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after winning the Australian Open trophy. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) (Clive Brunskill via Getty Images)

"I haven't seen her since this time last year so we've got a few more hugs to celebrate. Unbelievable to see her."

Barty announced her decision to retire from the game in an interview with good friend Casey Dellacqua.

She admitted she had a 'gut feeling' after Wimbledon that her decision to chase other dreams could be coming sooner, rather than later.

In the interview Barty said: "I know that, I am spent, physically, I don't have anything more to give."

"I have given everything I can to this beautiful sport and I'm really happy with that.

"For me, that is my success."

The Queenslander said she would provide more details at a press conference on Thursday.

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