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World number one Ash Barty announced her retirement at the age of 25, on March 22 (Tuesday). Her decision comes just less than two months after her Australian Open victory. But not many people would know that Barty was once a professional cricketer as well.
Barty's superb show
The 25-year-old tennis player had decided to take a break back in 2014 and in 2015 she joined Women’s Big Bash League. Barty had taken part in the Australian T20 competition for Brisbane Heat, in 2015- 16 Big Bash League. Her highest score was 39. It is worth mentioning that her highest score of 39 came in her league debut game. She scored 39 runs off 27 balls. Her innings was comprised of 3 boundaries and 1 six.
Barty also played a List A game for Queensland women in 2015 in Adelaide. Later, in 2016 she decided to return to tennis.
The Australian world number one announced her decision to retire from professional tennis via her Instagram feed.
Barty's decision
"Ash Barty the person has so many dreams she wants to chase after that don't necessarily involve travelling the world, being away from my family, being away from my home, which is where I've always wanted to be," Barty said in a video on her Instagram account with her good friend and former doubles partner Casey Dellacqua.
"I'll never, ever stop loving tennis, it's been a massive part of my life, but I think it's important that I get to enjoy the next part of my life as Ash Barty the person, not Ash Barty the athlete.
"I know I've done this before, but in a different feeling.
"I'm so grateful for tennis, it's given me all of my dreams, plus more, but I know the time is right now for me to step away and chase other dreams and to put the racquets down."
In her career, the Australian secured three Grand Slam titles; Australian Open (2022), French Open (2019), and Wimbledon (2021) and also clinched 15 singles and 12 doubles titles.
Barty did not play since winning the Australian Open final over Danielle Collins in January. Notably, Barty became the second reigning World number one ranked woman while atop WTA rankings, following Belgium’s Justine Henin.
