The Barty Party Is Over, for Now

Ash Barty of Australia celebrates after defeating Jessica Pegula of the United States in their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 25, 2022. Hamish Blair/AP Photo

Commentary

On 23 March, Ashleigh Barty shocked Australia and the international tennis community when she announced her retirement from the sport. This unexpected announcement comes a few weeks after her latest achievement, winning the Australian Open.

Soon after her historic win in Melbourne, I wrote an opinion piece for The Epoch Times in which I described Barty’s victory at the Australian Open as “a celebration of the indomitable human spirit.” I predicted that history would remember the tournament as a personal triumph of Ashleigh Barty, “the women’s champion who gave Australia its first victory in 44 years.”

Barty is the winner of three majors, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the Australian Open. For the last two years, she has retained a ranking of the Number One tennis player in the world. During her lucrative career, she amassed a fortune in prize money, nearly US$24 million.

Her announcement has been met with incredulity but generated many congratulatory messages from tennis players and even politicians.

As Barty is a public figure, it is relevant to ascertain why she has taken this unexpected step at the early age of 25.

When making her announcement, she said that “I’m so happy and I’m so ready, and I just know at the moment in my heart for me as a person, this is right.”

She explained that winning Wimbledon was a game-changer, the crown on a most successful tennis career, and the winning of the Australian Open was the cherry on the cake, considering that she was able to halt the 44-year drought of female Australian players who won that tournament.

Ashleigh Barty of Australia poses with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after winning her Women’s Singles Final match against Danielle Collins of the United States during day 13 of the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 29, 2022. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Since Barty’s announcement, many people have applauded her decision, but some have expressed their sadness, even disappointment. They argue that it is simply too early in a person’s professional sports life to retire at the age of 25.