The tennis world is still in shock more than 24 hours after the announcement of Ashleigh Barty’s retirement.

The best player in the world will certainly have marked her era, and her surprise departure represents a gigantic loss for tennis and women’s sport.

The three-time Grand Slam singles champion also spoke to the media at the very end of the evening on Wednesday to explain her decision.

Hours after the huge news, some of Canadian tennis’ most important speakers and pundits were still appalled. Nevertheless, there are different ways to analyze this situation, which did not leave anyone indifferent.

Aleksandra Wozniak, former WTA player

Wozniak and Barty have faced each other only once. It was in Acapulco in 2014, and the Quebecer won. Some time later, the Aussie took a break from tennis to play cricket and returned in May 2016, never looking back.

“When she came back, it was amazing to see how confident she was. Her game had evolved so much and she was off to a great start. It allowed him to rest to come back strong and relearn to love the game and manage the pressure. She became stronger than ever. »

Wozniak also points out that she was surprised that Barty retired at the height of her glory, at 25.

“I’m surprised like everyone else that she’s retiring at such a young age, especially since that’s no longer fashionable. […] You don’t see them anymore, women retiring at a young age.

“Before, it was more normal, but now the great players are retiring after 30 years. So this announcement takes us a bit back in time. Tennis promotes long careers. When you embark on this beautiful course, it is to be there for a long time. »

Séverine Tamborero, director and high performance coach at Tennis Canada, speaker and author

“My first reaction was, ‘Oh, my God!’ »

According to Tamborero, the effect of Barty’s departure will be quite damaging for the WTA and women’s tennis. The Australian was the star of her sport, but unfortunately the other players in the top 10 have not yet reached such a status and it will certainly create a gap.

“The WTA has an opportunity to question itself because it is nice to say that there are other good players, other talents, but there are no stars, and if you don’t have big star in your sport, it’s difficult. »

This decision also must have taken a lot of courage from Barty, because it left out considerable titles, sponsors and income.

“Whether an athlete at the top of her game, or not, is able to say that she has given her all emotionally and physically, that she can’t go any further, I find that enormously courageous. […] She leaves out a lot of things, like major sponsors and scholarships. So it’s all the more courageous what she did. »

Andréanne Martin, General Manager of Tennis Quebec

Everyone was surprised, of course. Except that everyone was also disappointed by Tuesday’s announcement. As a tennis lover, Andréanne Martin finds it a pity that we must henceforth deprive ourselves of Ashleigh Barty.

“I’m surprised, but also disappointed, because Barty was a great role model for women’s tennis. She has aboriginal ancestry, so it was interesting in terms of inclusion and diversity. She also did a lot in Australia to democratize tennis, so she was a good representative for our sport.

“For her style of play too, she brought a lot to women’s tennis. Barty made the girls improve because they had to learn how to play against a girl who had all the shots. The players are not used to that on the circuit. She did a lot for women’s tennis, not just because of her personality, but she took the game to another level and forced players to reinvent themselves. She brought a diversity to women’s tennis that was really interesting. She was a great role model. »

Especially since Barty had to work hard to get to the top, after a notable break of almost two years: “She didn’t become number one by the band. »

Valérie Tétreault, former WTA player and director of communications at Tennis Canada

Barty was an exceptional player, of great talent, who was promised a career that could have positioned her among the legends of the sport, according to Valérie Tétreault.

“It felt like her career would have no limits and she was going to dominate women’s tennis for the next few years. She was dominant, especially since returning after the pandemic shutdown, and it looked like she could potentially win a dozen Grand Slams. »

Nevertheless, it is more the Ash Barty off the field who will have left the best impression on Tétreault: “I think that we will especially remember the formidable ambassador that she was for the sport. Everyone on the circuit agrees that she was probably the nicest. Barty was an ultra-friendly player with everyone and she understood her role as an ambassador for tennis. She was very good at selling the sport well, and that’s why we’re going to miss her. Always very poised and eloquent when giving interviews.

“There was something refreshing about seeing her go. She was always talking to we. It was never “I won”, she always talked about her team, and it showed the beautiful values ​​that were anchored in her. Frankly, she was quite a role model for young players who were starting to break through and who could see her in action. »