Tweets of the Week: Tennis world reacts to Ash Barty’s retirement

Photo: Martin Sidorjak

One of the great tragedies of sport is that precious few athletes get to leave on their own terms, still at the top of their respective games. Only a handful have done it.

And that list got one person longer last week when reigning WTA No. 1 Ashleigh Barty shocked the world by announcing her retirement just two months after winning the Australian Open at just age 25.

Needless to say, this news rocked the tennis world. Have a look:

She did what?

Barty is just the second singles player, male or female, to retire while atop the rankings, the other being Justine Henin in 2008.

Her peers took to Twitter to share their feelings about Barty and her shocking announcement.

Ash, what can I say, you know I have tears right? My friend, I will miss you on tour. You were different, and special, and we shared some amazing moments. What's next for you? Grand Slam champion in golf?! Be happy and enjoy your life to the max xo Simo@ashbarty pic.twitter.com/WbX7kXnJ1l
— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) March 23, 2022

Ash, I have no words… actually you are showing your true class leaving tennis in this beautiful way.

I am so happy I could share the court with you.. tennis will never be the same without you! I admire you as a player and a person.. wishing you only the best! ❤️@ashbarty
— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) March 23, 2022

Happy for @ashbarty gutted for tennis 🎾 what a player❤️
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) March 23, 2022

An incredible tennis player but more importantly one of the nicest people on tour ♥️

Congratulations @ashbarty on an amazing career and good luck with what’s next! pic.twitter.com/Mhwzyf6nbX
— Madison Keys (@Madison_Keys) March 23, 2022

An incredible role model for so many not only in our sport, and she’s always gone about her career in her own special way. Well done, Ash. A true Aussie legend 👏 https://t.co/pnmaUjTPBe
— Darren Cahill (@darren_cahill) March 23, 2022

Congrats on an amazing career, @ashbarty! You represented our sport in such a unique way. Tennis will miss your class and beautiful style. Wishing you only the best! pic.twitter.com/JuUI69kgYB
— Carla Suárez Navarro (@CarlaSuarezNava) March 23, 2022

Respect it @ashbarty 🙏🏼👏🏼
— Thanasi Kokkinakis (@TKokkinakis) March 23, 2022

So much respect for you Ash! Your whole career you’ve done it your way! Always followed your heart and I hope you keep doing this!! Enjoy golf 🏌️‍♀️, planning wedding, being home, being with family and dogs 🐶, having good Aussie coffee everyday ☕️ and so many more things!!! pic.twitter.com/ABpceGOOq5
— Daria Saville (@Daria_gav) March 23, 2022

Dear Ash, news of your tennis retirement has stunned the world. You march to your own drum with humility and a beaming smile. You are a winner in every sense and I admire you greatly. I wish you great happiness and health. 🚀 https://t.co/EMqzdqofF5
— Rod Laver (@rodlaver) March 24, 2022

This will be the last point we ever see from @ashbarty and how fitting it was, a winning forehand !! Congrats on an amazing career kiddo. pic.twitter.com/QycCaQJG43
— Rennae Stubbs ♈️ (@rennaestubbs) March 23, 2022

Wow Ash Barty so young at 25 retires on top 🔝 of her game at 25, she played absolutely brilliantly in Melbourne and looked set to have huge year wish her all the best in whatever she does next 👍😎👊💪✔️
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) March 23, 2022

What a tremendous champion. On and off the court. The only woman I’ve handed the trophy to at the Hard Rock and it was an absolute pleasure both times. The sport will miss your kind heart and sublime talent. All the best for the next chapter. https://t.co/ALgTVSRqPy
— James Blake (@JRBlake) March 23, 2022

incredible career and person❤️ congrats on everything you’ve accomplished so far and everything you will accomplish in this next chapter! @ashbarty https://t.co/pKKYrwqkgY
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) March 23, 2022

One of a kind. On and off the court. A wonderful role model for women’s sport. ⭐️ @ashbarty https://t.co/9n9LfyLsN4
— judy murray (@JudyMurray) March 23, 2022

What a champ and what a way to go @ashbarty 🏆 Happy retirement mate
— Laura Robson (@laurarobson5) March 23, 2022

You have always been special, @ashbarty! 😍 All the best in absolutely anything you decide to do in you life. #champion https://t.co/LaVp67mKgL
— Barbora Strycova (@BaraStrycova) March 23, 2022

Ash, you always did everything the exact way YOU wanted to do it and not what others told you to do. Your own way, own path.. That is what I appreciate and respect so much about you. I will miss my slice buddy on tour 🙏 Congrats champ and all the best! #1 @ashbarty
— Kirsten Flipkens (@FlipperKF) March 23, 2022

What a legend @ashbarty .. tennis will miss you .. unbelievable role model on and off the court .. good luck mate for this next phase 👏🏽 #inspiration
— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) March 23, 2022

You will be missed, @AshBarty! You gave all your heart to our sport and inspired so many along your journey.❤️You’re stepping away from tennis as a true champion and on your own terms, simply following your own path, as you always have.Keep chasing your dreams, I know you will ✊🏻 pic.twitter.com/DVEUcpcvKf
— Angelique Kerber (@AngeliqueKerber) March 23, 2022

Congrats on an incredible career & realizing your dreams but more so on being the thoughtful and nice person that you are! Wishing you all the very best for what comes next @ashbarty ❤️🤗 https://t.co/vTt3G80y2v
— Sabine Lisicki (@sabinelisicki) March 23, 2022

Next woman up

There are a number of women who could take over the top spot after the Miami Open this week, but the favourite is probably the newly-ascended world No. 2 Iga Świątek. The WTA seems ready for that eventuality, as they used the Pole in a pretty great Twitter contest last week.

Okay TT…

Let's get creative with this *iconic* photo 🎨

Best Photoshop gets a retweet 🔁 pic.twitter.com/hFUOh1FLyW
— wta (@WTA) March 17, 2022

living her best life pic.twitter.com/Ost1tl5BaN
— alex (@acertainromnce) March 17, 2022

great read pic.twitter.com/iIjpOlEgSW
— wta (@WTA) March 17, 2022

https://twitter.com/podapooo2/status/1504512783618293761

pic.twitter.com/M1WjewVxIP
— qinwon🥇 (@IdemoAna) March 17, 2022

🎾 pic.twitter.com/DqMooU40nL
— Siemiński Tomek 🏊🚴 (@SieminskiTomek) March 17, 2022

hmmm iga and rafa… 🤨🤨🤨 pic.twitter.com/jmBuggyfxN
— esmee (@IgasBakery) March 17, 2022

pic.twitter.com/mK9CP61KQn
— 용수 (@Grunge_Bob) March 17, 2022

pic.twitter.com/IZqg9f06VW
— Kvittycat (@kvittycat53) March 17, 2022

Iga on ice 🥶 pic.twitter.com/UYV3lCmLZg
— Michał Szlachetko (@mszlach) March 17, 2022

When Iga tried Cricket 🤭😬😬 pic.twitter.com/dlOrZ3Ec2T
— Ritwika Dhar (@RituD307) March 18, 2022

The Force is strong with @iga_swiatek. pic.twitter.com/rErHZAx0fh
— Wants to hit aces (@tenniscrowd) March 17, 2022

pic.twitter.com/zXmR28YwPR
— Rob Norwood (@RobNorwood6) March 17, 2022

https://twitter.com/notashwani/status/1504783403714969601

cutting some trees 🌳 pic.twitter.com/LfgO9bKZ2r
— 🥤 (@ruudbweh) March 17, 2022

Written By

Tennis Canada