Australian tennis legend Ashleigh Barty has announced her retirement from the sport at just 25 years of age.
The world number one posted an emotional video on Instagram, in which she admitted the time was right for her to hang up her racquet and explore other endeavours.
"I am so thankful for everything this sport has given me and leave feeling proud and fulfilled," she captioned the post. "Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way, I’ll always be grateful for the lifelong memories that we created together."
Following the surprising announcement, GiveMeSport Women looks back at Barty's iconic career on the court and the five moments that shaped her as a world-dominating competitor.
First retirement and cricket career
While this may be the final decision for Barty, it's certainly not the first time she has announced her retirement from tennis.
In 2014, the Aussie announced she was stepping away from the court to pursue a professional career in her other passion, cricket.
Despite having only ever played recreationally, Barty took to the sport naturally and impressed Queensland Fire coach Andy Richards, who brought her into training.
Barty moved from the Fire to join Brisbane Heat for the inaugural Women's Big Bash League Twenty20 season.
First Grand Slam win
After returning to tennis in 2016, Barty first started working with mentor Craig Tyzzer — a partnership that would take the Aussie to the highest heights.
Her first taste of Grand Slam glory came at the 2019 French Open, where she beat Markéta Vondroušová in the final.
Barty had played just two events on clay prior to her Roland-Garros triumph but showcased her natural versatility by winning the title with only four games dropped in the final.
Her win ended Australia's 46-year wait for a French Open singles champion — picking up where Margaret Court left off at the end of her career.
World number one ranking
After her victory at Roland-Garros, Barty followed up with another tournament win as she came out on top in the Birmingham Classic just weeks later.
The second seeded Barty beat Germany's Julia Görges in the final, which saw her rise to the world number one spot for the first time in her career.
She held the ranking for all but four weeks from June 2019 up until her retirement, becoming just the second ever player to retire as world number one after Justine Henin in 2008.
At the end of 2021, Barty had retained her spot at the top of the world rankings for the third year running. Only Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf and Serena Williams had achieved such a feat before her.
Wimbledon dream
Winning at Wimbledon was something Barty had always aspired to do. In her retirement video, the Aussie explained it was "her dream" to lift the title at the All England Club.
After returning from an 11-month hiatus due to Covid-19, Barty lapped up the opportunities and enjoyed a glittering 2021. She won two WTA 1000 titles at the Miami Open and Stuttgart Open, which put her in perfect stead to live out her Wimbledon dream.
Despite withdrawing from Roland-Garros due to injury, she bounced back on the All England Club lawns.
Barty defeated the likes of Barbora Krejčíková and Angelique Kerber before a thrilling final against Karolína Plíšková saw her crowned champion.
She became the first Australian woman to win the Wimbledon title since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1980.
Australian Open title
The announcement of Barty's retirement comes just three months after winning her first Grand Slam title on home soil, where she became the first Australian woman to win the major since Chris O'Neil in 1978.
Her triumph at the Australian Open, as well as winning the Adelaide International just weeks prior, had looked to set her up for a phenomenal 2022. However, after 15 career titles and three Grand Slams, Barty revealed her iconic moment in Melbourne was the perfect way to close this iconic chapter of her life.
"That for me just feels like the perfect way, my perfect way, to celebrate what an amazing journey my tennis career has been," she said.
After winning the Adelaide International at the start of the year, Barty stormed to victory at the Australian Open, clinching her first title without dropping a single set.
In front of an adoring home crowd, the Queenslander beat USA's Danielle Collins, becoming only the eighth female player in history to win a title on three different surfaces.
The humble Barty has enjoyed a stellar career and has achieved so much while inspiring plenty of people in the process. Millions around the world have watched her effortless performances over the years and will reflect on the joy felt watching her in action.
Barty's retirement may be a bombshell, but the tennis icon is excited for her next chapter and is at peace with her decision that now is the right time to hang up her racquet after an inspiring era on the court.