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Image source, Getty Images
Ashley Party was the number one tennis player in the world for 114 consecutive weeks.
World number one tennis player Ashley Party has shocked sports fans by announcing her retirement from professional tennis at the age of 25.
The Australian champion made the announcement on social media on Wednesday, saying he was leaving to “pursue other dreams”.
He said “Completely worn out” And “physically nothing to offer me”.
“I’m so happy, so ready. I feel in my heart now, for me as a person, this is the right thing to do,” he wrote.
“I know people will not understand it. For me, it’s okay. Because I know that the person he wants to leave his family and pursue many dreams without having to travel around the world is the Ash Party., From my home, where I always want to be. That’s it.
The party has won three Grand Slam singles tournaments, including the Australian Open in January this year.
With that achievement he became The first male or female representative from his country to win a singles title at the Australian Open in 44 years.
He notes that his victory in winning the Wimbledon Championship in 2021 “changed my outlook” because he “did not feel complete” as he reached his highest personal goal in the sport.
From 2019
The party has retained its number one spot since winning its first Grand Slam at the French Open in 2019 at Roland Garros – 114 consecutive weeks.
Only Steffi Graf, Serena Williams (both 186) and Martina Navratilova (156) have consistently surpassed him for the first time in weeks.
Image source, Reuters
The party won the Australian Open in January, the first person from their country to do so in 44 years.
In addition, Williams is the only other active player Won the best titles on clay, grass and hard ground. So far, the party has amassed $ 23.8 million in prize money.
“I’m so grateful for all that this game has given me and I feel so proud and fulfilled,” said Party, who won the Grand Slam doubles title at the 2018 US Open with American Coco Vandeweghe.
“There is nothing to give me physically. I have given everything to this beautiful tennis game and it gives me so much pleasure,” he concluded.
“For me, that was my success. Thank you to everyone who supported me.”
BBC Tennis Correspondent Russell Fuller shocked the rest of the world. However, he hopes the party will never play again.
“The feeling of being one of the youngest retirees was in the game. But at the age of 25 he surprised everyone,” he said.
Steve Simon, director of the Women’s Tennis Association (ATP), called the party “one of the best champions.”
“Ashley party with her Characteristic spiral backThrough his absolute competitiveness, he has always set an example of unshakable professionalism and athleticism in every game he plays, ”he said in a statement.
Tennis players from all over praised the Australian player, while at the same time expressing their shock and congratulating him.
Fellow Grand Slam winner Sam Stosur described the party as “incredible life”, while former world number one Simona Halep of Romania wondered: “What’s next for you? Golf is a Grand Slam championship?”.
For his part, British Andy Murray responded to the news, saying it was a loss for tennis, but he was happy to party.
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