Ashleigh Barty shuns longevity like Roger Federer and Serena Williams to bow out on her own terms

Work-life balance is not a term usually associated with professional athletes. For many, the life of a professional athlete isn’t seen as ‘work’, despite the sacrifices and the hours of training and travelling. But it is always ‘work’, and Ashleigh Barty has decided that she wants to focus more on her life.

Ad/> Barty’s decision to retire at the age of 25 is a brave one. It’s incredibly rare for an athlete to hang up their racquet, boots, or gloves when they are at the pinnacle of their sport, as Barty is. Just earlier this week, 40-year-old AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic spoke about feeling a slight sense of panic at the prospect of retirement and why he wants to extend his career for «as long as possible».

WTA Miami'No better person' than Swiatek to replace me – Barty2 HOURS AGO «I want to end my career without regrets, so I have to maximise my time. I know the adrenaline I feel at the moment will never be the same… This goes on for 20-25 years, but one day I will wake up and have nothing planned, and that will be a strange feeling.” Barty seems prepared for that feeling. “I know that people may not understand it,» she said.

«I'm okay with that. Because I know that 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, from my home, which is where I've always wanted to be.» Barty's pull to Australia has been clear over the last few years. In 2020 she didn't leave the country during the pandemic, and the following season it was an emotional tear as she embarked on six months away from home.