Ash Barty has spoken in a press conference where she held back “no secrets” following her shock retirement announcement on Wednesday, March 23.
The tennis star announced her retirement on social media alongside her former doubles partner, Casey Dellacqua, just two months after winning the World no.1 title.
Speaking at her press conference on Thursday, March 24, the 25-year-old said she had “no regrets” about her retirement.
“I’ve said exactly what I wanted to say,” Barty said.
“I’m an open book. I’m not hiding anything, I’ve got no secrets. I am just so proud of all of the work that I have done with my team.
“We have done this together right from the start, have enjoyed every single minute and we have no regrets.
“We have achieved so much together and it’s been fun on the way.
“I just knew for me the time was right.
Barty said she had reached her limit in the tennis world.
“I’d given absolutely everything that I could to this sport, and I knew that it wouldn’t be fair to my team and the people that have invested so much time and energy into my life to not be 100 per cent committed for them,” she said.
“It’s been a hell of a journey. I wouldn’t change a thing and I certainly have no regrets.”
Barty denied her decision was a cover-up for an injury that saw her pull out of major US tournaments.
“No, that was an old injury that we repeatedly over my career had to manage, and that was the truth,” Barty said.
“After the Australian Open, it just didn’t heal quite as well as I would have liked and I didn’t get to get back on court until a few weeks ago.
“That’s what I mean – we were never hiding anything.
“The fact is I have given everything I can to this sport.
“I’m absolutely spent and had nothing more to give.
“I’m just really excited now for what comes next and I’m excited for the new challenges.”
Speaking with The Today Show, tennis great Pat Rafter commended Barty for “going out on her own terms”.
“She’ll be sorely missed,” Rafter said.
“I just loved watching her play, to me it’s like watching your favourite rock band finish – you’ll never get to see them again.
“Her finesse and the way she played was rather unique and the girls didn’t know how to play against her.
“To me, she’s still the greatest volleyer in the game at the moment, men or women.”
Rafter said Barty would ease into her retirement compared to stars who are forced into it from things like injuries.
“They struggle with that transition. Ash won’t. She’s gone out and knows what was she wants,” he said.
Many high-profile figures took to Twitter to farewell the tennis star.
Barty is currently the 14th highest-earning female tennis player, earning a whopping total of $31,920,112 throughout her career.