BREAKING: World #1 Women’s Tennis Player Ash Barty Announces Sudden Retirement at 25

World #1 women’s tennis player Ash Barty shocked the sports world by announcing her retirement at age 25.

The reigning Australian Open champion wrote in a social media post, “Today is difficult and filled with emotion for me as I announce my retirement from tennis. I wasn’t sure how to share this news with you so I asked my good friend @caseydellacqua to help me.”

Barty continued, “I am so thankful for everything this sport has given me and leave feeling proud and fulfilled. Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way, I’ll always be grateful for the lifelong memories that we created together. More to come tomorrow at my press conference.”

World No.1 Ash Barty has announced her retirement from tennis at the age 25, less than two months after winning the Australian Open in Melbourne.https://t.co/zSmfuIvDPD

— SBS News (@SBSNews) March 23, 2022

#Breaking: Ash Barty has announced her retirement from tennis aged 25 to pursue 'other dreams', just months after her Australian Open victory.

"I just know physically I have nothing more to give… I have given absolutely everything I can to this beautiful sport," Barty said. pic.twitter.com/VrQc1iGQbl

— 10 News First (@10NewsFirst) March 23, 2022

Ash Barty announced her retirement with the help of Casey Dellacqua.

LATEST: https://t.co/lMSFJKhE6o

(🎥: ashbarty/IG) pic.twitter.com/98W64TsYoJ

— Herald Sun Sport (@heraldsunsport) March 23, 2022

news.com.au reiterated the shock of Barty’s announcement:

Barty’s decision to walk away from tennis has stunned the world. She leaves less than two months after winning the Australian Open — her third grand slam crown following titles at the French Open (2019) and Wimbledon (2021).

The Australian favourite retired once earlier in her career, quitting to play professional cricket. But she rediscovered her love for tennis and made an incredible comeback, storming to No. 1 in the world.

Barty became emotional when talking to Dellacqua to announce her huge decision on Wednesday.

“It’s hard to say, but 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,” Barty said.

“I know I’ve done this (retired) before but in a very different feeling and I am so grateful to everything that tennis has given me.

“It’s given me all of my dreams, plus more, but I know that the time is right now for me to step away and chase other dreams and to put the racquets down.”

When asked “why now?” Barty said achieving major goals of winning Wimbledon and the Australian Open within six months of each other convinced her the time was right to pursue other dreams.

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World No. 1 Barty to retire from tennis at age 25 https://t.co/MRlT5my98W

— COVID VACCINE INJURIES .COM (@Storiesofinjury) March 23, 2022

ESPN‘s report suggested Barty has dealt with nagging injuries. Could that be another reason for her sudden retirement?

Earlier this month, she announced she was pulling out of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells and the Miami Open, citing a need for ongoing recovery after winning the year’s first major.

“Unfortunately, my body has not recovered the way I’d hoped after the Australian Open and I have not been able to adequately prepare for Indian Wells and Miami,” Barty said on March 3. “I don’t believe I am at the level necessary to win these events and as a result I have decided to withdraw from both tournaments.

“I love these events and am sad not to be there competing but getting my body right must be my focus.”

Could there be more to Barty’s retirement that the public isn’t being told?

We don’t know.

As a reminder, the Australian Open required players to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to compete for the Grand Slam.

Per Axios:

The Australian Open will require tennis players to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus for the tournament in January, tournament director Craig Tiley confirmed in an interview, the New York Times reports.

Earlier this week, men’s Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal revealed breathing difficulties he experienced during his defeat at Indian Wells.

Rafael Nadal Reveals Breathing Difficulties as Winning Streak Ends, “When I Try to Breathe, It’s Painful”