Ashleigh Barty retirement: Coach Craig Tyzzer says Barty was ready to quit after 2019 French Open win
Ashleigh Barty’s decision to retire from tennis at the age of 25 did “not shock” her coach Craig Tyzzer as she was ready to walk away from the sport after she won the French Open in 2019.
Barely two months after winning the Australian Open, Barty stunned the sporting world on Wednesday when she announced that is retiring with immediate effect.
The Australian is not only the reigning Australian Open champion, but she also won’t defend her Wimbledon crown while she will bow out while sitting top of the WTA Rankings.
Comment: Ashleigh Barty’s retirement exposes a gaping void in the women’s game
While many were surprised by her announcement, Tyzzer told a press conference in Brisbane that Barty hinted during a conversation at Roland Garros in 2019 that she wanted to quit.
“The first thing she said to me was, ‘Can I retire now?'” he revealed.
“I sort of went, ‘Hang on, I’m not ready for that’.”
Ashleigh Barty gallery: The life, times, highs and lows of tennis’ shock retiree
He added: “It’s not a shock to me.
“Ash does her own thing and when we started together she wanted to do it the way she wanted to do it. I think it’s the right time.
“I don’t think there’s anything left in the tank for her.”
Barty had admitted that when she won Wimbledon in July she had fulfilled a lifelong dream and strongly considered retiring, but she continued to play and went on to become the first Australian women to win her home Grand Slam since 1978.
Tyzzer admits it was difficult to get her motivated for this year’s Australian Open.
“The hardest thing was trying to motivate her to get a spark to go, ‘Hey, you need to be out there’,” he said.
“Because her tennis and her mindset – she was so relaxed and so easy-going with it all. It was almost like she didn’t care whether she won or lost, but she obviously did.
“I think the Australian summer was for everyone else and not for her.”
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