'I have no regrets' - Ashleigh Barty on shock retirement from tennis at 25 in press conference

Ashleigh Barty gave an emotional but hugely positive press conference on Thursday to discuss her shock decision to retire from tennis at the age of just 25 — and as the world No. 1. The Australian star, who became the first home player to win an Australian Open singles title in 44 years in January, shocked the sporting world on social media on Wednesday as she said she was leaving to «chase other dreams».

Ad/> Barty shared the news via a video posted on Instagram in which she sat down and chatted with her good friend and retired Australian tennis player Casey Dellacqua about the decision. That was followed by waves of tributes and messages of good will from her fellow players and many others outside of tennis. /> Tennis'I have no regrets' — Barty on shock retirement from tennis at 25AN HOUR AGO On Thursday, she spoke with the media in Brisbane, posed for photographs with her coach Craig Tyzzer, and explained some of the reasons behind the decision and why she felt this was the right time for her to step away from a sport she loves.

«Yeah, I mean, I think a lot of different things have happened in my life and that have changed my perspective, and timing is everything,» Barty said at the press conference. «I'm a big believer in that, and I think after the Australian Open I was really hoping that we would get the opportunity to play a home Fed Cup tie, but that wasn't meant to be, it wasn't the case. »I just knew that, for me, the time was right.