Ash Barty’s name forever etched into Australian sporting folklore

Ash Barty retires with her name forever etched into Australian sporting folklore and her bold call to walk away now will perhaps turn out to be her most famous masterstroke, writes The Editor.

Perhaps the greatest shock is that any of us were shocked at all when Queensland’s tennis superstar Ash Barty retired from the sport on Wednesday, aged 25.

Barty is always someone who has marched to the beat of her own drum, the world No. 1 with $32m in prizemoney to her name who still lives in Springfield – halfway between Brisbane and Ipswich; the woman who famously took an indefinite break from the professional tennis tour at 17 to play cricket for the Brisbane Heat. The proud Queenslander and Ngarigo woman who loves most in the world her dogs, her man, her nieces and nephews – and having a beer at the footy at the Gabba.

Ash Barty winning the Australian Open. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

The shock, then, was perhaps because it is so rare that an elite athlete bows out when at their peak. In the melodramatic world of elite sport – particularly tennis – it is almost unheard of, as an in-built need to win gets mixed up with a lust for the riches on offer to end up consuming so many.

There are many who will no doubt criticise this decision, suggesting anybody with Barty’s God-given talent must use it to reach her ultimate potential.

But the Ipswich-born and raised superstar is someone who knows the value of balance in life, a trait further instilled in her by her mindset coach Ben Crowe.

“I’m so happy and I’m so ready,” Ash said in her beautiful recorded retirement announcement interview with her great mate and former doubles partner Casey Dellacqua. “I know in my heart for this as a person this is right … as a person this is what I want.”

Barty could well of course have played on, her signature backhand slice truly intact – as shown at the Australian Open in January. But in many ways, deciding to retire could be her greatest victory. The easiest decision is to put that decision off until it’s too late, as so many elite athletes have learned.

Ash Barty announces her retirement from tennis.

Bowing out on top only solidifies Barty’s reputation as the darling of Australian sport, because it underlines as authentic the class she has always shown when she does not have a racquet in hand.

Barty’s homespun charm, down to earth attitude and girl next door approach to life make her special. She is the ultimate role model. In a sport infamous for its brats, comes a superstar not yet aged 26 who, without a script, says this: “There was a perspective shift in me in the second phase of my career that my happiness wasn’t dependent on the results – and success for me is knowing that I’ve given absolutely everything, everything I can. I’m fulfilled. I’m happy.”

For Barty, as simple as it sounds, there is nothing else to achieve. She has scaled her tennis Everest. Her tennis career is, then, done. And who is anyone to judge what makes somebody else happy? Barty has nothing to prove to the rest of us. She is a champion. We salute her deeds on and off the court.

Barty retires with her name forever etched into Australian sporting folklore. Selfishly, as fans we wish we could see more of her greatness on the tennis court.

But this bold call to walk away now will perhaps turn out to be her most famous masterstroke – a courageous decision that will surely act as inspiration for others to truly consider what it is they really want from their life. We only get one chance at it, after all. Ash has shown us the value of making the most of that chance – to chase your dreams, even if those dreams are not what others might expect of you.