Ash Barty decided to retire after talking with her friend and former colleague, Casey Dellacqua. (2:57)
In her first news conference since announcing her immediate retirement from professional tennis, three-time major champion and current world No. 1 Ash Barty called her decision scary but exciting and said she was looking forward to working with Australian junior players in the near future.
Ash Barty told a group of international reporters on a video call on Thursday in Australia that he wants to chase after many things. I get to contribute more on the tennis side with the younger girls, younger boys and throughout the communities, which is exciting for me.
On Wednesday, Barty stunned the tennis world with a six-minute video in which she said she would be stepping away from the game, effective immediately, to pursue other dreams.
She said that she was spent.
Barty was going to retire after Australia beat Russia in the finals of the Billie Jean King Cup, but the match against Slovakia was canceled after Australia took Russia's spot in the finals.
In January, Barty ended a 44-year title drought for home players at the Australian Open with a straight-set victory over American Danielle Collins. She became the fifth active player to win a Grand Slam singles title on all three surfaces. She won the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year.
After the US Open in 2014, a teenage Barty took a break from the sport to pursue a professional cricket career. Barty has won more titles than any other woman on the tour since she returned to tennis after 18 months. In addition to her three major trophies, Barty has won 12 other singles crowns, including three 1000-level events, and four doubles titles. She won a bronze medal in mixed doubles.
Craig Tyzzer said he knew after Wimbledon that it would be difficult for her to continue in the sport.
Tyzzer told in-person media at a separate news conference that there wasn't much left in her. Her singles went by the wayside. It was going to be hard to keep her involved because she was climbing where she needed to go. I felt like it was coming and we talked about it.
Barty asked if she could retire after her first Slam win.
For the past 114 weeks, Barty has held the top ranking. She is the second woman to retire while ranked first. Henin was 25 when she stepped away, but she returned two years later. When asked if a comeback was possible, Barty didn't completely rule it out.
"You never say never but it is a long way off at this stage," Barty said.
After the conclusion of the Miami Open, Barty said her name would be removed from the rankings. Barty heaped praise on her potential replacement for Iga Swiatek, who is currently the No. 2-ranked player.
She is an incredible person, a great tennis player, and the way that she has brought this fresh, fearless energy onto the court has been incredible, Barty said.
Swiatek was not the only one who commented on the announcement. Serena Williams, who holds the record for most major titles in the Open Era at 23, said she was sad to hear about Barty's decision.
Andy Murray, a three-time Grand Slam victor, said he was also happy for her butgutted for tennis.
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