Tennis earthquake: The world number 1 quits

At the end of her resignation message, the number 1 in the tennis world rankings had to cry. Ashleigh Barty bravely and in remarkable words explained for a good five minutes why, completely unexpectedly, she ended her career a month before her 26th birthday and wanted to “pursue other dreams” in the future. At the end of the conversation with her former doubles partner Casey Dellacqua, she thanked the Australian, remembered the many great moments and suggested a hug - the emotions were too great for sport on this special Wednesday, and not just down under .

The 6:3, 7:6 (7:2) at the Australian Open on January 29th against Danielle Collins was her last appearance as an active player. For the first time since 1978, Barty secured a home triumph in Melbourne. She had previously won Wimbledon (“That was my dream. The one big dream in tennis”) and the French Open. The Ipswich-born right-hander has also been at the top of the world rankings for 114 weeks - only three players have had a longer streak than her: Steffi Graf (186), Serena Williams (186) and Martina Navratilova (156). In total, she was number one in the world for 121 weeks and won 25 of the last 26 matches. Barty is at his peak and is still young. Nevertheless, she breaks up - because she can't and doesn't want to anymore.

“I don’t have that in me anymore. The physical drive, that emotional desire and everything it takes to push yourself to the absolute top. “I’m worn out,” Barty said. “I gave it my all and that is success for me. I'm very happy with it. I know people may not understand this. That's okay." The “second” end of my career At the age of 18, she had already interrupted her career for almost two years due to the pressure and too much travel and played professional cricket during the break. “I know, I've done this before, but with a completely different feeling,” she said now. “I am so grateful for everything tennis has given me. It fulfilled all my dreams and more. But I know the time is right for me to step back and chase other dreams and put down the bat.”

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Tennis earthquake: The world number 1 quits

In a month, Ashleigh Barty will be just 26 years old. She has led the tennis world rankings for as long as only three players before her and is the reigning winner of the Australian Open and Wimbledon. But she stops. For the second time and with remarkable words.

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