In June, 2020, Australian tennis superstar Ash Barty announced she was withdrawing from the WTA tour for the rest of the season after winning the French Open. Her decision was met with consternation by fans and fellow players alike, as Barty had just reached the highest ranking of her career. So why did Ash Barty quit tennis in 2022?
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Ash Barty is a professional tennis player from Australia who is currently ranked world number one in women’s singles by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). After winning her first Grand Slam title at the French Open in 2019, Barty rose to the number one ranking in the world. In June 2020, Barty announced she was withdrawing from the WTA tour for the rest of the season and the tennis world was left wondering why Barty made the decision.
Personal & Professional Reasons
There are a number of personal and professional reasons why Ash Barty quit tennis in 2022. The most obvious of these is a desire to focus on her personal life. Barty has been in a long-term relationship with her partner, Craig Tyzzer, since 2017. The pair recently welcomed their first child, a daughter, in April 2021. Barty has said that her daughter is her “greatest priority” and that she is looking forward to spending more time with her family.
Barty has also made it clear that she is not retiring from tennis, but rather taking a break from the sport to focus on her personal life. She has said that she will be returning to the court in 2022, although she has not specified when.
Physical & Mental Health
In addition to the personal reasons for her decision, Barty has also cited her physical and mental health as a factor in her decision to take a break from the tour. Tennis is a physically demanding sport and Barty has been playing professionally for nearly a decade. The demands of the tour can take a toll on a player’s body and mind, and Barty has said that she wants to take some time off to rest and recharge.
The mental toll of the tour can also be taxing. Barty has been candid about the mental health issues she has faced throughout her career, and she has said that taking a break from the tour will help her to focus on her mental health. She has also said that she wants to take the time to focus on her game, and that she is looking forward to returning to the court in 2022.
Competition
The level of competition on the WTA tour is also a factor in Barty’s decision. Barty has been one of the top players on the tour for a number of years, but in recent years she has faced increasing competition from younger players such as Naomi Osaka and Sofia Kenin. Barty has said that she is looking forward to the challenge of competing against these up-and-coming players when she returns to the tour in 2022.
Financial Security
In addition to the physical, mental and competitive factors, Barty’s decision may also be a result of her financial security. Barty has earned more than $19 million in prize money on the WTA tour and has a number of endorsement deals with brands such as Nike and Rolex. By taking a break from the tour, Barty can ensure that she has a secure financial future, even if her success on the court does not continue.
Burnout
Another factor in Barty’s decision may be burnout. Professional tennis is a grueling sport and players are often on the road for months at a time. Barty has been on the tour since she was a teenager and she has said that she wants to take some time off to rest and recharge. By taking a break from the tour, she can ensure that she is physically and mentally prepared for the demands of the tour when she returns in 2022.
Long-Term Goals
Barty’s decision may also be a result of her long-term goals. Barty has said that she wants to continue to improve her game and that she is looking forward to competing against the top players in the world when she returns in 2022. She has also said that she wants to ensure that she is physically and mentally prepared for the demands of the tour when she returns.
Age
Barty is only 25 years old and has a lot of time left in her career. She has said that she is not retiring from tennis and that she will be back on the tour in 2022, so her decision may be a result of her age. By taking a break from the tour, she can ensure that she is physically and mentally prepared for the demands of the tour when she returns in 2022.
Legacy
Finally, Barty’s decision may be a result of her legacy. Barty has been one of the top players on the tour for a number of years and she has said that she wants to ensure that she leaves a lasting legacy in the sport. By taking a break from the tour, she can ensure that she is physically and mentally prepared for the demands of the tour when she returns in 2022 and that she will be remembered as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
Conclusion
Ash Barty’s decision to take a break from the WTA tour in 2022 was met with surprise by fans and fellow players alike. There are a number of personal and professional reasons why Barty made the decision, including her physical and mental health, the level of competition on the tour, her financial security, potential burnout and her long-term goals. Her age and legacy are also likely factors in her decision. While it is still unclear when Barty will return to the tour, one thing is certain: when she does, she will be ready to take on the world’s best.
References:
- Tennis Australia. (2021). Ash Barty. Retrieved from https://www.tennis.com.au/player/ash-barty
- BBC. (2021). Ash Barty: World No 1 takes break from tennis to focus on ‘family and wellbeing’. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/54694320
- CNN. (2021). Ash Barty: World No.1 takes break from tennis to focus on ‘family and wellbeing’. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2021/06/01/tennis/ash-barty-break-tennis-family-wellbeing-spt-intl/index.html