Ash Barty reveals why she decided to retire

Ash Barty has revealed the reason for her shock retirement from tennis while she is world number one and just 25 years old.

Ash Barty shocked the tennis would when she announced her retirement from the sport aged just 25.

The world number one announced the decision in an Instagram post on Wednesday afternoon.

In the video she uploaded she talked to former doubles partner and friend Casey Dellacqua about the reasons behind her decision.

“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.

Ash Barty emotionally announces her retirement from tennis. Picture: Instagram

“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” she said winning Wimbledon and the Australian Open within six months convinced her it was the right time.

“It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time and I’ve had a lot of incredible moments in my career that have been pivotal moments,” Barty said.

“Wimbledon last year changed a lot for me as a person and for me as an athlete when you work so hard your whole life for one goal, and I’ve been able to share that with so many incredible people.

Ash Barty plays a forehand in her match against Danielle Collins. Picture: Getty Images

“But to be able to win Wimbledon, which was my dream – the one, true dream I wanted in tennis — that really changed my perspective. I just had that gut feeling after Wimbledon and had spoken to my team quite a lot about it.

“There was just a little part of me that wasn’t quite satisfied, wasn’t quite fulfilled. And then came the challenge of the Australian Open.

“That for me just feels like the perfect way – my perfect way – to celebrate what an amazing journey my tennis career has been.

“As a person, this is what I want. I want to chase after some other dreams that I’ve always wanted to do, and always had that really healthy balance, but I’m really, really excited.”

Barty added said she no longer has “the physical drive, the emotional want and everything it takes to challenge yourself at the very top level anymore”.

“I am spent. I just know physically I have nothing more to give and that, for me, is success,” she said.

“I’ve given absolutely everything I can to this beautiful sport of tennis and I’m really happy with that.”