Não há dúvidas de que estamos perante uma das notícias mais surpreendentes na história recente do ténis. Ashleigh Barty anunciou o final da carreira aos 25 anos, numa altura em que ocupava o primeiro lugar da hierarquia mundial feminina e que ainda não tinha perdido qualquer encontro. O seu último duelo será a final que venceu no Australian Open, mas a australiana decidiu que é tempo de viver outras experiências.
Como seria expectável, as reações nas redes sociais sucederam-se rapidamente, com muitos tenistas a fazerem questão de deixar uma mensagem a Barty, com destaque para aquelas que aqui partilhamos. Andy Murray diz que fica feliz por Ash, mas que se sente mal pelo ténis, Simona Halep aponta o golfe como o próximo desporto onde Barty vai brilhar, Karolina Pliskova e Petra Kvitova falam na australiana como uma lenda, enquanto Elina Svitolina, Sania Mirza ou Kirsten Flipkens são outras das personalidades que fizeram questão de partilhar algo sobre Barty ainda durante a madrugada.
For every young girl that has looked up to you.
For every one of us that you’ve inspired.
For your love of the game.
Thank you, @ashbarty for the incredible mark you’ve left on-court, off-court and in our hearts 💜 pic.twitter.com/6wp9fmO439
— wta (@WTA) March 23, 2022
Happy for @ashbarty gutted for tennis 🎾 what a player❤️
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) March 23, 2022
Ash, what can I say, you know I have tears right? My friend, I will miss you on tour. You were different, and special, and we shared some amazing moments. What’s next for you? Grand Slam champion in golf?! Be happy and enjoy your life to the max xo Simo@ashbarty pic.twitter.com/WbX7kXnJ1l
— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) March 23, 2022
Ash, I have no words… actually you are showing your true class leaving tennis in this beautiful way.
I am so happy I could share the court with you.. tennis will never be the same without you! I admire you as a player and a person.. wishing you only the best! ❤️@ashbarty
— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) March 23, 2022
Congrats on an incredible career Ash 🙏 It was a privilege to share a court with you. Wishing you all the best in your next chapter, @ashbarty. You will be missed 🥺❤️ pic.twitter.com/bpL20nIUJQ
— Karolina Pliskova (@KaPliskova) March 23, 2022
What a legend @ashbarty .. tennis will miss you .. unbelievable role model on and off the court .. good luck mate for this next phase 👏🏽 #inspiration
— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) March 23, 2022
Ash, you always did everything the exact way YOU wanted to do it and not what others told you to do. Your own way, own path.. That is what I appreciate and respect so much about you. I will miss my slice buddy on tour 🙏 Congrats champ and all the best! #1 @ashbarty
— Kirsten Flipkens (@FlipperKF) March 23, 2022
Nothing but RESPECT for you @ashbarty !!! All the best in your retirement and congratulations on your distinguished career ! pic.twitter.com/QUr77fPhYL
— Elina Monfils (@ElinaSvitolina) March 23, 2022