Ash Barty

Ashleigh Barty retires: Iga Swiatek set to become No 1 in WTA rankings after Aussie star's sudden retirement

The 20-year-old Swiatek is a massive 2,204 ranking points behind Barty, but there will be a new number one on Monday when the new list comes out and the second-placed Pole is in prime position.

Ashleigh Barty's early retirement spurred on by tiring body, larger goals and soulful experience

At a time when Roger Federer and Serena Williams, both 40, have not officially retired, it does come across as strange that a 25-year-old World No 1 should be calling it time on her sport.

Ashleigh Barty retires: Bjorn Borg and other star athletes who called it quits at a young age

Barty, who hung up her boots at the age of 25 on Wednesday, is not the only player to have taken early retirement. Here are some more personalities who drew the curtains on their career early.

Racquets down: Even in retirement, Ashleigh Barty remains an outlier

Barty's retirement is like a perfectly timed backhand drop shot that no one saw coming. Not a hurried or desperate attempt, but well thought out, expertly crafted stroke that ends with a bit of magic.

Ashleigh Barty retires: From shining in cricket and golf to multiple Grand Slam wins, a look at tennis star’s achievements across sports

It is unclear what she will do next, but it would be no surprise if Barty ended up becoming a champion in another sport, because few athletes can boast such a varied sporting CV as the down-to-earth Barty.

Ashleigh Barty retires: ‘Dream' Wimbledon title, historic Australian Open victory and other highlights from tennis star’s glittering career

In January, Barty became the first Australian to win her home Grand Slam in 44 years, her third Grand Slam title after the 2019 French Open and 2021 Wimbledon

World No 1 Ashleigh Barty announces shock retirement aged 25, sets sights on chasing 'other dreams'

Barty dropped the bombshell weeks after becoming the first home-grown champion of the Australian Open in 44 years, joining tennis royalty's most exclusive club with a Grand Slam crown on three different surfaces.

‘Happy for Ash Barty, gutted for tennis’: Tennis fraternity reacts to Australian star’s shock retirement at 25

Barty shocked the sporting fraternity in general and the tennis community in particular with her decision to call it quits at the age of 25, at a time when she was on top of the WTA rankings.

Australian Open 2022: Ashleigh Barty, Rafael Nadal, Aussies provide happy ending after Novak Djokovic chaos

There were more beautiful stories from Melbourne Park that made Djokovic’s long drawn legal saga feel like a thing of the past.

Australian Open champion Ashleigh Barty stays on top of WTA rankings, Danielle Collins moves to career-best 10th

Barty has increased her lead over Aryna Sabalenka — who exited in the fourth round of the Australian Open — to over 2,600 points.