Ash Barty retirement as it happened: Australian tennis star announces shock retirement via Instagram

Thank you for joining us for our live coverage of Ash Barty’s retirement this afternoon. Here are some of the main highlights from the day:

• The world has reacted with shock to the news of Barty’s retirement. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has thanked the women’s world number one for inspiring a generation of young Australians. “None of us will forget, of course, the triumphant in Wimbledon and none of us will ever forget that incredible comeback down there at the Australian Open this year, which once again showed everybody what you can do when you really apply yourself,” he said.
• Two-time US Open champion Pat Rafter backed Barty’s decision telling 3AW it was clear she wanted to enjoy other parts of life beyond tennis after winning Wimbledon, Roland Garros and the Australian Open. “She doesn’t want to play tennis any more,” he said. “She wants to have a life. She wants to live life.”
• Meanwhile, Barty’s idol, close friend and fellow Indigenous trailblazer Evonne Goolagong Cawley passed on all her support to the world No.1. “I can’t wait to see what the next chapter brings, and to watch Ash achieve her dreams post tennis,” she said.
• Our readers also wrote in to share their favourite memories of the tennis superstar. Some praised Barty’s humility and down-to-earth nature, while others highlighted some of her biggest sporting achievements. “Her Wimbledon win was sublime ... Also, in her press conferences when she was surreptitiously slipping in lines from Disney movies, trying to keep things fun and not take it all too seriously,” wrote reader Narelle.

That’s all from us for tonight. Stay tuned as we bring you the latest headlines in sport tomorrow.

Bye for now.

Ash Barty was a breath of fresh air. She wafted in, made everyone feel better for a time, and now is gone. She was among us barely any longer than the champion racehorse Winx. But the sensation she created will remain in our hearts and bones for a long time, writes sports columnist Greg Baum.

Her tennis retirement at 25 is a shock, but less so a surprise. She has always marched to the beat of a different drum. As she said to Casey Dellacqua in making her announcement on social media, this might have been an unorthodox way, but it was her way.

Ash Barty celebrating after winning the Australian Open.Credit: Scott McNaughton

Barty was never in it for the money. When she won the season-ending WTA tournament in Shenzhen in 2019, and with it the single biggest cheque ever collected by a tennis player, male or female, she merely said that was Christmas sorted for her toddler niece and nephew. She knows what she is giving up, and money is the least of it.

She didn’t play for trophies; some ended up as vases in her sisters’ houses. She didn’t play for the travel; she is at heart a homebody. She’s still as Queensland as they come.

She didn’t play for acclaim; Australia has had few more modest or more dignified sports champions. She didn’t play to accumulate. Before we had even considered whether or not she was playing for longevity, she gave us her answer.

Read the full article by sports columnist Greg Baum here.

Here is another look at some of the reactions after the women’s world number one announced her retirement from professional tennis today.

Ash Barty’s Wimbledon victory was one of the highlights of Australia’s sporting year.Credit: Getty

Prime Minister Scott Morrison

“I particularly want to say ‘thank you’ to you, Ash, for inspiring a generation of young people and particularly a generation of young Indigenous people in this country.

“None of us will forget, of course, the triumphant win in Wimbledon and none of us will ever forget that incredible comeback down there at the Australian Open this year, which once again showed everybody what you can do when you really apply yourself.”

High Commissioner for Australia to the UK George Brandis

“Ash Barty. What an inspiration to us all. Will never forget her brilliance at Wimbledon, and look forward to the next chapter of her remarkable life. Go well, Ash Barty.”

Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley

“One of the highlights in my career was standing next to her after she won (the Australian Open) and I never would have thought that three months later we would have been having this conversation about Ash retiring.

“It’s once in a lifetime that someone like Ash comes along. But whatever she does, she’s going to achieve great things and we respect her decision.”

Australian coach Darren Cahill

“An incredible role model for so many not only in our sport, and she’s always gone about her career in her own special way. Well done, Ash. A true Aussie legend.”

Australian of the Year and Paralympian Dylan Alcott

“Ash Barty. Amazing tennis player but even better person. A champion in every sense of the word. Very proud of you, mate.”

Former women’s number one Tracy Austin

“Happy for you, Ash Barty, to go out on your terms, but the tennis world will miss a great champion.

“Love your elegant, athletic style of play and have always been impressed with the way you handle yourself on and off the court. Enjoy the next chapter.”

Tennis player Elina Svitolina

“Nothing but respect for you Ash Barty! All the best in your retirement and congratulations on your distinguished career.”

Have you voted on our poll yet?

We continue to be flooded with emails from Ash Barty fans sharing their favourite memories of the tennis great.

Here are some more words from our readers:

Ash Barty.Credit: Getty

Anonymous: What a victory speech at Wimbledon Juniors when you were 15. All class, with the maturity of a 25-year-old then! Sure is time to retire.

Diana Underwood: I can’t go past that picture from 2002 of little three-year-old Ash standing on a soaking wet tennis court in the rain - holding a racquet twice the size of her head and a little trophy. Thanks for the memories, Ashleigh Barty. You owe us nothing.

Carol Oliver: Every moment she was there, being honest. Working at the top of her fabulous game and representing our country. Setting an example of a standard of behaviour that was modest, thoughtful, generous, and the best of Australia.

Anonymous: When she won Wimbledon. Me and my mum were sitting on the couch at 2.00 am and we were shaking from nervousness watching her serve. When she won it, we jumped in excitement, and probably the whole of Australia did too. When she won the Australian Open that was very exciting too because the last two years we had hoped that she would win, but she came short twice.

Jeremy: I was lucky enough to be at the Australian Open women’s final this year, and the feeling on the court when she won (the first Aussie woman to win the Aussie Open in 44 years!) was absolutely electric and something I will never forget.

Narelle: Her Wimbledon win was sublime. Favourite moments? Anytime she talked about her relationship with Evonne [Goolagong Cawley]. Also, in her press conferences when she was surreptitiously slipping in lines from Disney movies, trying to keep things fun and not take it all too seriously. Go and enjoy your wonderful future Ash, and thanks for the fantastic tennis memories.

Thanks so much for all the reader reactions and interactions today as we digested the unexpected news that Ash Barty was retiring from tennis.

I’ll handover the blog to Marta Pascual Juanola who will steer things on into the evening.

Have a lovely night. Bye for now.

We’ve received so many touching tributes this afternoon as the news of Ash Barty’s retirement spreads.

Here are some more words from our readers:

Ash Barty.Credit: Getty Images

Anonymous: Her Wimbledon win removed the doom and gloom of 2021’s long lockdown for a brief but exciting moment.

Barbara Guest: I have shed a tear or tears realising that I will never see her play at this elite level again....Thanks Ash for the unforgettable memories and I wish only the best for you with Gary and your wonderful family.

Allison: I grew up watching tennis from a young age and also played weekend competitions. I was genuinely obsessed. It was so great when Ash came through that I had a new Aussie idol to join my tennis idols from my teen years. I think she’s the loveliest, most down-to-earth person who really cares about other people and the planet. Her talent is so classy and subtle that I think a lot of people underestimated her.

Anonymous: Everyone is being so lovely and complementary - am I the only one who feels like stamping my feet like a two-year-old and saying “Noooo!”

Judy Peacock: She is an inspiration; whatever comes next for Ash will also reflect this.

Two-time US Open champion Pat Rafter says Ash Barty didn’t want to reset her goals so made the right call in retiring from tennis.

Rafter told 3AW on Wednesday that he backed Barty’s decision because it was clear she wanted to enjoy other parts of life beyond tennis after winning Wimbledon, Roland Garros and the Australian Open.

Ash Barty pictured in Carlton the morning after winning the Australian Open women’s singles title. Credit: Scott McNaughton

He joked that he had heard in recent weeks about Barty’s plans and when his phone started buzzing on Wednesday he knew the news had come out.

“She doesn’t want to play tennis any more,” Rafter told 3AW.

“She wants to have a life. She wants to live life. Tennis is a part of the journey and we are lucky to play it professionally and it pays well but you have a career that only lasts for a certain time and while her career could be longer, she decided it is not for her.

“She wants to get married in the next couple of years, possibly have a family. Do the regular things that people do like go to the pub on a Friday night to watch the footy or play golf on the weekend.

“I’m presuming that is the way she is thinking and I’m really happy for her.”

Rafter added that Barty was right to retire if she didn’t want to train hard and travel the world.

“Absolutely. It’s the right decision because it is her decision,” Rafter said.

“She is really happy with that. I know she has certain goals and she has met them. Now she doesn’t want to reset them and train hard and travel. The world is also a different place than it was a few years ago.

“From what I know of Ash, she has probably been thinking about this for quite a while.”

While Barty is retiring at a young age, Rafter said he expected Barty would continue to earn good money from endorsements and other appearances in the years to come.

“Money is nice. It has given her a lifestyle she wants to live as long as it’s not too opulent but she is a pretty level girl and she has made enough money for her lifestyle,” Rafter said.

“I’m sure she will be very savvy with that and continue to earn good money for the next 5-10 years as she is a big name.

“She will be right.”

Aboriginal international soccer stars Lydia Williams and Kyah Simon spoke earlier this year about the impact Ash Barty’s tennis career on the Indigenous community.

Lydia Williams: I think any of the responsibilities or expectations to the Indigenous community from athletes and people in the public eye is just inspiration. A lot of us Indigenous people play with heart and to go out there and show our appreciation for the land and the people within it is the most important thing.

Kyah Simon poses with fans after the second international against the USA in Newcastle.Credit: Getty

Kyah Simon: Ash is such a positive role model in Australia, but also around the world. She’s proud of her indigenous heritage, as am I.

I think there’s so many young kids that will be aspiring to be a tennis star one day, that will be out there with the racket, with a tennis ball and wanting to hit a ball around and be an Ash Barty one day. She inspired all of us who are playing international sport for a different code, so you can only imagine the impact that she has had on so many young Australian kids and around the world.