Full video: Ash Barty explains shock retirement during press conference

Ash Barty has told media to be patient in revealing whether she will take up another sport, after fronting a press conference to explain her shock retirement.

The 25-year-old shocked the tennis world on Wednesday when she revealed she was stepping away from tennis, prompting an outpouring of tributes from tennis players and fans alike.

Barty said there was «no perfect timing» to announce the retirement, while hinting she could move to another sport in the future.

Re-watch the press conference above and follow the live blog below.

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By Andrew Mcgarry

Ash Barty is due to speak to the media in Brisbane at 1pm AEDT. You can follow the livestream of the press conference here.  

By Andrew Mcgarry

By Andrew Mcgarry

By Andrew Mcgarry

The press conference is over, and Barty is posing for pictures to mark the occasion.

The first impression left is of someone happy and relaxed with her decision.

The time was right — Barty has an upcoming wedding with her fiancee Garry Kissick, although she wouldn't say anything about when and where that might be!

By Andrew Mcgarry

That picture at the Australian Open with Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Cathy Freeman showed again the close relationship Barty had with Goolagong Cawley, the last woman to win the Australian Open. Barty says she rang her mentor to tell her her decision. 

I just called her and wanted to have a chat with her (after her retirement), and obviously she's been incredibly supportive as Roger has been as well. They're incredible people. I'm very lucky to have them in my corner.

Evonne always knows the right thing to say at the right time. She's always been there for me but never been in the way, she's never tried to