Ashleigh Barty to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Barty fans. Speculation had been rife that former world No.1 in women's tennis will announce her retirement from sports, at age 29, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 24/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a tennis player isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a tennis player just isn't fun anymore,” she might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that she may branch out into other creative fields she is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouAsh

For a little while on Monday evening, #ThankYouAsh was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made her make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouAsh.”
— @DesireePlum, 23 Mar 2026

“I thought Ashleigh Barty retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 23 Mar 2026

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