Ashleigh Barty had a very interesting 2022 season because she started it on a very high note by winning the Australian Open but then ended it shortly after by retiring from the sport of tennis.
Besides being a ridiculously good tennis player, Barty is also an interesting individual. She’s a player who largely didn’t enjoy what accompanied tennis as a profession. While some players enjoy traveling around the world, Barty didn't enjoy it as much.
A family person who enjoyed spending lots of time at home in Australia, Barty found that part of the sport very tiring, and after a while, it simply became too much.
Even before retiring, she hinted at probably not playing the sport for too long. It proved true when she retired from the sport earlier this year after winning the Australian Open.
A couple of things contributed to her retiring early, and winning the Australian Open was one of those. Winning Wimbledon the year before was another one, as that was a longtime dream for her.
She simply became content with what she’s achieved in the sport and wanted to focus on other things. Even though her 2022 season was cut short, the Australian still did something instrumental by winning the Australian Open, and her efforts were recognized back home.
For the fifth time in her life, Barty won the Newcombe Medal, which is widely regarded as the most prestigious sporting award in Australia. It’s a well-deserved honour for Barty as she became the first Australian woman to win the Australian Open in 44 years.
She was overjoyed with winning the award but also dropped another hint that her tennis career is likely over for good. As sad as that might be, Barty deserves a chance to do what she wants with her life because she’s given quite a bit to tennis.
"It's obviously an amazing way to cap off what has been an incredible journey. The journey of a lifetime, the journey of me chasing after my dreams and exploring what was possible out in the world."