Ash Barty, known for her calm composure and graceful domination on the court, just let her guard down in a way fans have never seen before. In a rare sit-down interview aired on Australian television this week, the former World No. 1 got visibly emotional while speaking about her decision to retire from tennis—and the hidden battles she fought long before hanging up her racket.
“I was smiling in public, but I was breaking inside,” Barty admitted, her voice trembling as she recalled the mounting pressure and the toll constant travel took on her mental health. “People saw the trophies, not the anxiety, not the sleepless nights.”
The interview—filmed at her rural Queensland home—was raw, intimate, and full of unexpected revelations. At one point, she described waking up with a “deep fear” of losing herself in the grind of competition. Despite being at the top of her game, Barty said she felt “trapped in a world I didn’t recognize anymore.”
She also spoke about her desire for a family life and how reconnecting with nature, her dogs, and gardening has been more fulfilling than lifting trophies. But what really struck a chord with viewers was her confession that she sometimes misses the roar of the crowd and the high of a tough three-set battle.
Does this mean she’s considering a return? Not necessarily. But she didn’t shut the door completely either. “I’ll always love tennis,” she said with a soft smile. “But right now, I love waking up without a schedule even more.”
The interview sparked massive engagement online, with fans and even celebrities sending messages of support. The hashtag #WeMissYouBarty trended in both Australia and the UK, with many praising her honesty and strength.
Mental health in elite sport is a topic gaining overdue attention, and Barty’s heartfelt openness adds an authentic voice to the conversation. She didn’t just retire at the top—she walked away on her own terms, which might be her most powerful legacy yet.