The Quotes of 2022, Episode 11 – World No 1 Barty: “I’m retiring from tennis”

To end 2022, Tennis Majors offers you a return, in chronological order and in series format, on the striking, inspiring or funny quotes of the year. The 11th episode, Ashleigh Barty’s farewell

Ash Barty announces her retirement in a video released on social media Image Credit: AI/ Reuters/ Panoramic

Mathieu Canac

December 25, 2022

Ash Barty went undefeated in 2022. After a perfect January with 11 consecutive victories to win the WTA 500 Adelaide and the Australian Open, her third Grand Slam title, the Australian stunned the tennis world when she announced she was ending her career.

On March 23, via a video posted on her Instagram account, Barty announced her sudden and unexpected retirement. “I’m retiring from tennis. This is the first time I’ve said it out loud… It’s difficult,” she said, very emotional with her throat tight. “But I’m happy, and ready. I know, in my heart, that this is the right decision. (…) Winning Wimbledon had always been my biggest dream in tennis. Achieving this changed my perspective. After Wimbledon (2021), I felt it deep inside.”

I no longer have the physical and emotional motivations
Ash Barty

“There was just a small part of me left that wasn’t totally satisfied yet, there was the challenge of winning the Australian Open (won in 2022),” Barty added. It was the perfect way for me to celebrate my adventure in tennis. I know how hard you have to work to bring out the best in yourself, and I don’t have that in me anymore. I no longer have the physical and emotional motivations, and everything it takes to ‘challenge’ myself at the highest level.”

While she was No 1 in the world, Barty asked to be removed from the rankings. After 121 weeks on the throne, she tallied seventh best total at No 1 in WTA history, behind the legends Stefi Graff (377), Martina Navratilova (332), Serena Williams (319), Chris Evert (260), Martina Hingis (209) and Monica Seles (179).

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