Why is Ash Barty giving up her tennis millions? Australia’s star athlete and world No 1 grand slam champ earned over US$25 million, working with Jaguar and Fila, but she’s retiring at age 25

Mar 29 , 2022

Tennis champion Ashleigh Barty announced her retirement in March, at age 25. Photo: @ashbarty/Instagram

After significant wins at Wimbledon 2021 and the Australian Open 2022, 25-year-old Ashleigh Barty called it quits due to a lack of ‘emotional want’ and ‘physical drive’

In 2013, Barty had also taken a sabbatical and played cricket instead – before getting back into tennis and becoming world No 1 on WTA

Ashleigh Barty, ranked world No 1 by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) since 2019, three-time grand slam singles champion, and history-making Australian athlete, announced her retirement on March 23.

Retiring at 25 years old – and at the top spot at that – the news came as a shocking surprise to the tennis industry and to fans all over the world. Regardless, she received messages of congrats and praise for her bravery and courage, and well wishes for her next venture.

Tennis champ Ashleigh Barty announced her retirement in March at age 25. Photo: @ashbarty/Instagram

In her tennis career, Barty has earned a total of US$23.8 million from singles and doubles matches, per the WTA website. In 2020, she was ranked third-highest paid female athlete in the world by Forbes, with total earnings amounting to US$13.1 million. The following year, she earned US$6.9 million, dropping to eighth place in the ranking, per News.com.au.

The Australian champ is said to have maintained bankable status for hefty endorsement deals that raise her net worth to up to US$20 million, as per Media Referee. Her deals include sponsorships by Fila, Kayo Sports and British luxury car brand Jaguar, among others.

Ashleigh Barty has worked with brands like Jaguar. Photo: @ashbarty/Instagram

Barty has won 15 singles titles in her career. She won Roland Garros in 2019, Wimbledon in 2021 and the 2022 Australian Open. This stellar record puts her in the same league as Serena Williams, as Barty became the only other active woman player with grand slam wins on all three surfaces. She’s also a grand slam doubles champ, and has achieved 12 doubles titles and a doubles career ranking high at No 5.

Ashleigh Barty of Australia poses for photos with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup after winning the women’s singles final of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, on January 30. Photo: EPA-EFE

Barty’s recent win at the Australian Open wasn’t only significant for her as an athlete, but for her home country, too. She became the first Australian to win the title after 44 years since 1978. Barty, who speaks openly of her indigenous roots, was then handed the trophy by four-time tennis champ Evonne Goolagong Cawley, a fellow indigenous Australian.