‘I think I’m done’: Tennis legend Ash Barty reveals what triggered her shock retirement

Australian tennis great Ash Barty took the world by surprise when she announced her retirement from the sport she had dominated for so long at just 25 years of age.

At the time of her retirement announcement, Barty revealed that she had “given absolutely everything” to the sport and that she held “no regrets” regarding her retirement decision while stopping short of offering a concrete reason for 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.

“I just knew for me the time was right.

“It’s been a hell of a journey. I wouldn’t change a thing and I certainly have no regrets.”

 

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Now, ahead of the release of her highly anticipated memoir My Dream Time, Barty has opened up about what spurred her decision to retire while she was at the peak of her career.

“Winning Wimbledon was the single thing I wanted my whole career,’’ Barty told News Corp.

“I don’t know what I’m playing for anymore. I think I’m done,” she revealed in an excerpt from her memoir.

“I have got nothing left, no spark.”

Since hanging up her racquet, Barty claimed victory in a golf tournament at the Brookwater Golf and Country Club earlier in the year and in July married long-time beau Garry Kissick, shocking fans with a photo of the secret ceremony.

 

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Showing no signs of slowing down, Barty later revealed that she was making her mark in the corporate world with her new role with the Australian telecom giant, Optus, as their new “Chief of Inspiration”.

“Inspiration for me has always been my north star, helping inspire Aussies and encouraging them to be the best version of themselves – and I cannot wait to do that with Optus,” Barty said at the time of the announcement.

“From sport, I’ve learnt the positivity and the really good aspects in life that can come out of friendship and being in active teamwork.

“Whether it’s sport or the corporate world, the most important thing is to find what makes you happy.

“Sometimes it means that brave or courageous decision, that conscious decision to say yes, and to feel like you are making a difference.”

My Dream Time is expected to hit shelves on Wednesday, November 2.