World number one Ash Barty has said she would “never say never” about returning to professional tennis following her shock retirement aged 25.
The Australian, who has won three grand slams and is the reigning Wimbledon and Australian Open champion, also told reporters she gave “absolutely everything that I could to this sport” during her relatively short career.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Barty said it had been “a hell of a journey” and added: “I wouldn’t change a thing and I certainly have no regrets.”
She added: “After Wimbledon my perspective changed a lot and there was this beautiful challenge of trying to play the Australian Open and trying to win an Australian Open which was always another goal of mine, and to do that as a team and to do that with the people that meant so much to me was incredible.
“So it was just – there is no perfect way, there is no perfect timing but this was our perfect way, and it was a great finish.”
Barty shocks the sporting world with her retirement
In response to a question about the prospect of making a comeback, the Australian said: “Well, you never say never, it’s a long way off.”
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Barty announced her retirement from tennis via Instagram on Wednesday saying she wanted to “chase other dreams”.
The move took the sport by surprise and sparked wide speculation about her next moves.
‘Working with young players is a goal of mine’
Her repeated response on Thursday when pressed for details about what she might do next was: “You’ll have to wait and see. Be patient.”
Though cagey about her future plans, Barty did hint at a role within junior tennis in her home country, saying she was looking forward to working with younger players “throughout the communities, seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces, bringing them the opportunities to play tennis”, adding: “It reminds me of why I started playing.”
When asked if that meant she would have a formal position with junior tennis, Barty smiled and said she had “no details to share as yet”.
“That’s just a goal and a dream of mine, to be able to give back to the sport that has given me so much,” she added.
World number one laughs off suggestions she wants to play golf
Barty also told reporters she was leaving the circuit because the “timing is right” and she would savour having more time with her family.
“Timing is everything, I’m a big believer in that. And for me the timing is right,” she said.
Barty laughed on Thursday when asked if there was any truth to “whispers” she has dreams of playing professional golf, a sport she has expressed her admiration for previously.
“You guys love to whisper, don’t you? No, we’ll wait and see. I’ve got to try and learn how to hit the middle of the club face before I can think of trying to get on the tour,” she replied.
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She also expressed her admiration for Poland’s Iga Swiatek, the current world number two who is likely to replace her at the top of the rankings.
“I’m not sure of what the possibilities are (with who becomes number one following her retirement) – I’ve never been one to look at it much,” Barty said.
“I know that if it is Iga, there is no better person. She’s an incredible person, a great tennis player. The way that she’s brought this fresh, fearless energy onto the court has been incredible.”
Barty’s victory in the Australian Open in January ended a 44-year drought for Aussie players at their home major.
In all, Barty won 15 tour-level titles in singles and 12 in doubles during her career and spent the last 114 weeks atop the rankings.
