Former seven-time Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander has given his thoughts on Ashleigh Barty’s retirement. He believes the loss of love for the game is behind the Australian’s surprise retirement.
On Wednesday, the world number 1 announced that she was retiring at the age of 25. “I think for me Ash Barty represents sport more than she represents tennis,” Wilander told Eurosport.
“I think she was introduced to the sport at a very young age and had fun doing sports, playing sports. And I believe she was playing for the enjoyment of the sport rather than to make it a work.
And I’m sure the difference is that a lot of players on the tour, they’re basically put into tennis camp by their parents. Then they do well and they transfer to a tennis academy and the goal is always to become a professional player.”
“When I look at Ash Barty, I don’t think she had a lot of goals, early in her athletic career, except that it’s really good for the mind, health and body to do Sport.
So I believe she played tennis for the love of the game. And when it’s for the love of the game, there’s a chance you’ll lose interest at some point, just like others pastime in life”
Barty is different from freaks like Serena Williams and Roger Federer.
Barty left the game as world number one and a three-time Grand Slam champion. Also, Barty was at the peak of her career when she announced her retirement.
“We have to realize that players like Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are monsters,” Wilander added. “They never have enough.
Their priority is always to play tennis and improve. And I think for Ash Barty, his priorities have changed.”
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