Barty, Klitschko, Cantona: 11 athletes who retired during their prime

The sporting world has been left stunned by Ashleigh Barty’s retirement from tennis aged 25.

The Australian is a three-time Grand Slam winner and triumphed at the Australian Open just two months ago.

Following her shock decision to step back from tennis, we pick 11 athletes who have retired from sport at their prime.

In an emotional video posted on social media, Ashleigh Barty revealed she was “absolutely spent” and “physically I have nothing more to give”.

“I’m so happy and I’m so ready. I just know at the moment in my heart, for me as a person, this is right,” she said. “I know that people may not understand it. I’m OK 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 leaves tennis as the women’s world number one, a spot she first rose to in June 2019 and has held since September 2019.

The three-time Grand Slam winner has stepped back from tennis before, calling time on her career in the sport after the 2014 US Open.

Still just a teenager, she chose to play professional cricket for the WBBL team Brisbane Heat instead, before returning to tennis in 2016. It appears this time Barty has retired from the sport for good, however, and she will be greatly missed from the WTA Tour.

Michael Jordan caused shockwaves after announcing his retirement from basketball in October 1993, aged 30.

Jordan had just won three successive NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls, but the American revealed that he had lost the desire to play sport after the murder of his father in July 1993.

Fortunately for basketball fans, Jordan returned in 1995. He re-joined the