Ashleigh Barty’s retirement leaves Andy Murray ‘gutted’ as tennis stars pay tributes
The world No.1 has revealed she’s quit the sport for a second time, just two months after winning the Australian Open and securing her third Grand Slam.
Barty has explained she wants to ‘chase other dreams’ and has nothing left to give physically and emotionally to the sport and that’s made it hard to accept for many of her fellow tennis professionals and biggest supporters.
‘I’m so supportive of Ash and making a decision that is the best for her and makes her happy,’ her long-time mentor Goolagong Cawley said.
‘I can’t wait to see what the next chapter brings and to watch Ash achieve her dreams.’
Former British No.1 Murray tweeted: ‘Happy for @ashbarty, gutted for tennis, what a player.’
Petra Kvitova hailed her decision to leave the sport while top of her game as ‘true class.’
‘Ash, I have no words… actually you are showing your true class leaving tennis in this beautiful way,’ she tweeted.
‘I am so happy I could share the court with you.. tennis will never be the same without you! I admire you as a player and a person.. wishing you only the best!’
It’s not known exactly what Barty’s next career move will be but many expect her to continue in the world of sport.
Having initially walked away from tennis in 2014 she made the switch to cricket, playing for Brisbane Heat in the Women’s Big Bash League, before…
Source : metro
