Ashleigh Barty retires: Decoding her career in numbers
World number one women's singles tennis star Ashleigh Barty has decided to call it quits at the age of 25. Barty is a three-time Grand Slam winner and her decision comes as a shock to the tennis fraternity. The sensational Barty last won the 2022 Australian Open. In this article, we decode the career stats of Barty.
Why does this story matter?
Barty had recently cited health set-backs as her reason to withdraw from the upcoming WTA 1000 hard court events at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and the Miami Open. She was aiming for a comeback in April. However, the announcement comes as a surprise. Barty has been a true champion in terms of her performances. Her numbers speak volumes.
Feats achieved by Barty
As per WTA, across all-levels of play, Barty managed a 305-102 win-loss record in singles. She had a 200-64 win-loss record in doubles as well. Her current reign as the number one is the fourth-longest streak in the history of the WTA Tour. She is only behind Steffi Graf (186 weeks), Serena Williams (186), and Martina Navratilova (156).
57-24 win-loss record at Grand Slams
Barty has a 57-24 win-loss record at Grand Slams. She clocked a 24-8 win-loss record at the Australian Open. Barty enjoyed a 10-6 win-loss record at Roland Garros. She had a 12-4 record at Wimbledon and another 11-6 win-loss tally at the US Open. She won three Slam titles - 2019 French Open, 2021 Wimbledon, and the 2022 Australian Open respectively.
First women's home champion since 1978
In January, Barty became the first women's home champion since Chris O'Neil in 1978. As per WTA, number one seed Barty had earlier become the first home player to reach the Australian Open women's final in 42 years. The last Australian player to make the final here was Wendy Turnbull, who was the runner-up to Hana Mandlikova in 1980.
Fourth junior Wimbledon champion to lift the title in London
Barty won her only junior Grand Slam title (2011 Wimbledon) at the age of 15. She became just the second Australian to win the girls' singles event after Debbie Freeman in 1980. A decade later, Barty has become only the fourth junior Wimbledon champion to lift the title in London after Ann Jones, Martina Hingis and Amelie Mauresmo.
Barty attained these feats after winning Wimbledon
Barty became the first number one seed to win the prestigious Wimbledon since Serena Williams in 2016. She also became the third Wimbledon champion from Australia (women's singles) in the Open Era after Margaret Court and Goolagong (won twice).
2019 French Open: Barty achieved this feat
By winning the 2019 French Open, Barty became the sixth Australian woman to win a Grand Slam in the Open Era. She was the first to attain the feat after Samantha Stosur who had won the 2011 US Open. Interestingly, she ended 46-year Aussie drought in Paris, as Margaret Court was the last Australian to win here.
Key details about Barty
Barty was adjudged WTA Player of the Year in 2019 and 2021 respectively. Barty was also the 2019 WTA Finals champion. As per WTA, Barty went on to collect 15 titles in singles and 12 in doubles during this span. Interestingly, this is more than any other active player during this period. She also won the Adelaide International before lifting the 2022 Australian Open.
One Grand Slam doubles title
Barty has been a five-time runner-up in Grand Slam doubles. She has been a six-time finalist, winning one Slam title in 2018. Barty and her partner CoCo Vandeweghe won the 2018 US Open. Overall in Grand Slam doubles, Barty has a win-loss record of 53-19.
