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. 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. Tom Brady’s diet and wellness routine: 8 rules to staying healthy 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. 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. 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. 7 ways the Beckham kids are following in their parents’ footsteps With whopping earnings, endorsements lined up and a legendary track record, what made Barty quit? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ash Barty (@ashbarty) In an interview published on the WTA website, Barty speaks to former doubles partner Casey Dellacqua, saying: “I don’t have the physical drive, the emotional want and everything it takes to challenge yourself at the very top of the level any more. I am spent.” During her teens, Barty went on a sabbatical from tennis for 21 months. This came after winning significant matches in 2013, reaching the finals of Wimbledon and the US Open. On her break, she played cricket. Barty returned to tennis in 2016 and began to climb the rankings again. Of her significant wins, she credits Wimbledon last year as one of the most monumental – and one that’s also changed her view on tennis, especially after achieving her much coveted win. In the same interview with Dellacqua, she shares, “When you work so hard your whole life for one goal. To be able to win Wimbledon, which was my dream, the one true dream that I wanted in tennis, that really changed my perspective.” How rich is Daniil Medvedev, Russia’s new world No 1 tennis star? Early this year, Barty won the Australian Open, which now becomes more significant and symbolic as a gift for the tennis fans, especially those from her home country. “The challenge of the Australian Open, and I think that for me, feels like the most perfect way – my perfect way – to celebrate what an amazing journey my tennis career has been,” she said. Upon Barty’s request, her name will be taken off the rankings list. Pole tennis player Iga Świątek, currently ranked at No 2, secures her level up rank and is slated to take the No 1 spot. Want more stories like this? Follow STYLE on Facebook , Instagram , YouTube and Twitter .