'Scary but exciting': Ashleigh Barty elaborates on decision to retire from tennis at age 25
Australian tennis star and world No. 1-ranked women's player Ashleigh Barty called her decision to retire at age 25 "scary but exciting," in her first news conference since her announcement this week.
"It's exciting because there are so many things Ash Barty, the person, wants to achieve and dreams that I want to chase after," Barty told reporters Thursday on a video call in Australia. "But I think my purpose won't change. I just get to contribute in a different way. I get to contribute more on the tennis side with the younger girls, younger boys and throughout the communities, which is exciting for me."
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Barty said Thursday she is looking forward to working with Australia's youth in the future and spend time with her family.
In a six-minute video shared to her personal Instagram account late Tuesday night in the United States, the three-time Grand Slam champion sat down with former doubles partner and close friend Casey Dellacqua to announce her decision to leave the game.
Contact Analis Bailey at aabailey@usatoday.com or on Twitter @analisbailey.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ash Barty elaborates on decision to retire from tennis at age 25
