“It’s been a hell of a journey, I wouldn’t change a thing, and I certainly have no regrets” Ash Barty remains tight-lipped about her future plans after retirement from tennis
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Ash Barty
Ash Barty finally addressed the press after announcing her shocking retirement from the sport yesterday. The 3-time Grand Slam champion stunned the world when she uploaded her retirement interview video on her Instagram handle announcing her retirement just at the age of 25 saying she has achieved all of her dreams as a Pro.
Barty had announced she will be holding a press conference on Thursday, 24th March to address the issue in a better way as there would be a lot of questions on why she is quitting the sport being at the top of the rankings for more than 2 years and undoubtedly is one of the biggest players on the WTA Tour.
“Yeah, I mean, I think a lot of different things have happened in my life and that have changed my perspective, and timing is everything. I’m a big believer in that, and I think after the Australian Open I was really hoping that we would get the opportunity to play a home Fed Cup tie, but that wasn’t meant to be, it wasn’t the case.
“I just knew that, for me, the time was right. I had given absolutely everything that I could to the sport, and I knew that it wouldn’t be fair to my team, and the people that have invested so much time and energy into my life, to not be 100% committed for them. So, it’s been a hell of a journey, I wouldn’t change a thing, and I certainly have no regrets,” said Barty during the press conference.
“I’ll never stop loving sports”: Ash Barty
Having played in the Women’s Big Bash League as well, Barty has been a sports lover. With questions arising whether she will pursue her career as a Pro in some other sport, the Australian was well prepared for the question leaving no hint for her fans on what will she be actually doing ahead.
“I have seen some brilliant photoshops as a jockey, lawn bowls. I’ve seen a little bit. Yeah. I love sport. I’m a sports nut, like a lot of Australians are. I’ll be lured to it. I have always been an athlete in the sense of trying different things but we’ll see how we go. I’m not giving you everything right now. It’s alright. You can be patient. Patience is a virtue.
“I’m excited. I’m excited for what is next for my next chapter as Ash Barty, the person and not the athlete. I mean, I hit as recently as 10 days ago. So yeah, I mean, I will forever be connected to tennis, I’ll never stop loving the sport. I’ll never stop hitting tennis balls. I just won’t be doing it selfishly for me to try and, you know, progress my career, it would be for different reasons.
“I can’t wait to get out there with young girls and young boys and contribute in different ways. I’m really excited to have more time to do that, and I can’t wait to get out on the court and teach my nieces and nephews and hope that tennis brings them the same love that it brought me,” was Barty’s response to her plans for the future which she is yet to decode completely.
“Our paths will cross again” Ash Barty promises to remain connected to Tennis
While she now steps away as a Professional, Barty expressed her delight on seeing the love she received from her colleagues and all others connected with the sport. Barty also talked about missing the bonding and friendships that developed on the Tour as she won’t be travelling anymore for the events.
“What really brought a smile on my face were the messages. Not often did they mention our matches, all the times we spent on the court together, it was more getting to know the athletes as people and building relationships with them as people and some of my best mates are, I will miss.
“But I’m sure that our paths will cross once again, whether it’s down under here or on their side of the world. So, I think it’s going to be exciting now for new opportunities and new challenges for all of us, but it was really nice to get so many incredible messages. I’ve been a very supported girl,” concluded the 2022 Australian Open champion who now prepares for a fresh chapter of her life.
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Sarthak Shitole
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