The tennis world is shocked to hear the news from Australian world No.1 Ashleigh Barty, who announced her retirement from the game aged just 25. Winning three Grand Slam titles and spending over two years at No.1 in the ranking, Barty broke a host of Australian records in a career that captured the hearts of tennis lovers. It saddens the fans when some sportspersons leave the game early in their career, when they have plenty of good playing years ahead of them. It could be because they want to walk away in their prime. But, if someone like Barty leaves the game, citing lack of physical drive as one of the reasons, it is really surprising, considering her young age. Perhaps, Barty should learn a lesson or two from Martina Navratilova on how to cope with physical issues and stay long in the circuit, having the unflinching passion and desire for the game, as the former American world No.1 retired only at 32, winning 18 Grand Slams singles titles. In fact, Navratilova won the mixed doubles at the US Open in 2006 just weeks before her 50th birthday!
Ranganathan Sivakumar,
Chennai – 600 091.