Prime Minister Scott Morrison has reacted to the bombshell news Ash Barty’s has retired from tennis, thanking the star for inspiring a nation.
The world number one announced the news in an Instagram post on Wednesday, telling former tennis doubles partner and friend Casey Dellacqua she was physically spent.
“It’s hard to say, but I’m so happy and I’m so ready and I just know at the moment in my heart, for me as a person, this is right,” she said.
“I know I’ve done this (retired) before but in a very different feeling and I am so grateful to everything that tennis has given me.
“It’s given me all of my dreams, plus more, but I know that the time is right now for me to step away and chase other dreams and to put the racquets down.”
Her decision to walk away from the sport less than two months after winning the Australian Open shocked the nation.
Speaking to reporters only minutes after Ms Barty’s post went live, Prime Minister Scott Morrison paid tribute to her inspiring career.
xjmtzyw“On the way here we learned the news that Ash Barty would be retiring from tennis. I was able to leave a message for her before we got out of the car, and to her and Gary I want to wish them all the very best for their future,” he said in Rockhampton.
“I just simply want to say thank you for inspiring a generation of young people and particularly a generation of young Indigenous people in this country.
“You are all class.
“I do want to say thank you for inspiring a country, inspiring a nation at a time when this country really needed a good shot in the arm.
“Of course none of us will forget the triumphant win in Wimbledon and none of us will ever forget that incredible comeback down there at the Australian Open this year.”
Opposition leader Anthony Albanese also joined on the congratulations.
“An inspiration, a magician on the court, a champion of Wimbledon and the Australian Open – World Number One,” he wrote on Twitter.
“As you climbed to the very top, you lifted us all.”
Broadcaster Peter Psaltis said the champion had “always danced to the beat of her own drum with everything she has done in life”.
“What a great ride she has given us all … The journey has been one heck of a ride,” he wrote in a tweet.
Australian Paralympic champion Kurt Fearnley said he was “so proud” and happy for her.
“The great Ash Barty. Always has been, always will be one of our finest. And bowing out at the top of her game. So proud and happy for her,” he said.
The Aussie superstar’s retirement also prompted questions if she would be eyeing off a return to the Big Bash League.
Ms Barty previously took an indefinite break from tennis following the 2014 US Open, converting to cricket and playing with the Brisbane Heat in the inaugural edition of the WBBL.
