Ginulat ng World No. 1 na si Ashleigh Barty ang mundo ng tennis, nang i-anunsiyo ang kaniyang early retirement sa nabanggit na sport sa edad pa lamang na 25.

Ang anunsiyo ay ginawa ni Barty ilang linggo matapos na maging unang home-grown champion ng Australian Open sa 44 na taon, kung saan nakabilang na siya sa most exclusive club ng tennis royalty na may Grand Slam crown sa tatlong magkakaibang surfaces.

Sinabi ni Barty sa kaniyang emosyonal na Instagram video post kasama ang malapit na kaibigan at dating doubles partner na si Casey Dellacqua . . . “Today is difficult and filled with emotion for me as I announce my retirement from tennis. I am thankful for everything this sport has given me. I’m so happy, and I’m so ready and I just know at the moment in my heart as a person, this is right. I’m so grateful for everything that tennis has given me, it’s given me all of my dreams plus more. But I know the time is now right for me to step away and chase other dreams and put the racquets down.”

Mahigit dalawang taon nang naging World No. 1 si Barty at nanalo ng tatlong titulo sa Grand Slam singles — ang French Open noong 2019, Wimbledon noong 2021 at ang Australian Open ngayong taon.

Ayon naman sa tweet ng Women’s Tennis Association . . . “Thank you for being an incredible ambassador for this sport and for women around the world. We will miss you so much, Ash.”

Si Barty ay isa sa pinaka-nirerespeto at minamahal na manlalaro ng tennis, at mabilis din siyang naging pinakamahusay.