Women's Tennis World #1 Retires at 25

[cephasjames]

Ashleigh Barty retires: Simona Halep, Andy Murray, others react to world No. 1 leaving tennis at age 25

The Australian tennis player made the announcement on social media, explaining she no longer has the "physical drive" and "emotional want" it takes to compete in high a high level of the sport.

This may or may not be lumped in with those athletes who have recently taken a step back or what-have-you over mental health concerns, but there seems to be an interesting trend of younger athletes (maybe there are stories of older athletes who are doing this as well but I haven't seen them come across the wire) taking a step back or away from the higher levels of sports. It has me wondering why? Is it athletes wising up to the challenges of being a high-level athlete? Is it a younger generation that isn't used to the strain and adversary of being a high-level athlete? Is it a little bit of both? Or some other reason?

[pilight]

Not unprecedented. Tracy Austin retired even younger than Barty.

[cephasjames]

No one said it was unprecedented. Just that stepping back/away seems to be trending.

[Déjà Bru]

I give you a picture that ESPN put up along with their article:



The year on the trophy seems to be 2002. That would make her about five years old in that photo.

So, from probably even before that, she has been competing in tennis. For over 20 years.

I would imagine that, after all the time and effort spent from early childhood which is necessary these days to excel in professional sports, a person may just get tired of it all.

If there is such a trend of athletes walking away early, I would say it is related to this relatively recent phenomenon of denying children normal childhood in favor of relentless training, practice, and pressure.

[cephasjames]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

I give you a picture that ESPN put up along with their article:

Attachment 860003

The year on the trophy seems to be 2002. That would make her about five years old in that photo.

So, from probably even before that, she has been competing in tennis. For over 20 years.

I would imagine that, after all the time and effort spent from early childhood which is necessary these days to excel in professional sports, a person may just get tired of it all.

If there is such a trend of athletes walking away early, I would say it is related to this relatively recent phenomenon of denying children normal childhood in favor of relentless training, practice, and pressure.

Good point.

[pilight]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

If there is such a trend of athletes walking away early, I would say it is related to this relatively recent phenomenon of denying children normal childhood in favor of relentless training, practice, and pressure.

Richard Williams was right all along!

[jumpSeat]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

I would imagine that, after all the time and effort spent from early childhood which is necessary these days to excel in professional sports, a person may just get tired of it all.

Burnout.

I know it seems silly to apply a term like burnout to someone in their mid-twenties, but as you rightly pointed out, this has been a near life-long journey for her. And an all-consuming journey at that.

I honestly can't blame her for wanting to experience the other side of life. A side where everything isn't strictly regimented and obsessed with a single purpose.

[monkeyman576]

I would say an increased awareness of mental health and work life balance in athletes has lead to this as well.

The old adage that money doesn't buy happiness is true and I would say this is a good trend.

[pilight]

Also, Ash Barty has done this before. She quit tennis to play cricket while in juniors but eventually came back. I doubt we've seen the last of her.

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by pilight

Also, Ash Barty has done this before. She quit tennis to play cricket while in juniors but eventually came back. I doubt we've seen the last of her.

That's true. None of these retreats/retirements need be permanent. On the other end of the scale, Tom Brady (retired one month then retired from retirement).

[jumpSeat]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

...Tom Brady (retired one month then retired from retirement).

All that money, and he couldn't figure out what to do with himself after 30 days. Poor guy.

[monkeyman576]

Home life can be pretty scary sometimes.

[jumpSeat]

Originally Posted by monkeyman576

Home life can be pretty scary sometimes.

Yeah, especially if you've got a supermodel in the house.

Just kidding, I actually am sensitive to the issues many people face when they no longer have a job to help fulfill their life. For a lot of folks, their entire identity can be wrapped up in what they do for a living, and if that's suddenly gone...

Let's just say, vacuums aren't always fun.

[pilight]

Originally Posted by jumpSeat

Let's just say, vacuums aren't always fun.

It's entirely possible that Tom Brady has never used a vacuum in his life

[Bub13]

Originally Posted by cephasjames

Ashleigh Barty retires: Simona Halep, Andy Murray, others react to world No. 1 leaving tennis at age 25



This may or may not be lumped in with those athletes who have recently taken a step back or what-have-you over mental health concerns, but there seems to be an interesting trend of younger athletes (maybe there are stories of older athletes who are doing this as well but I haven't seen them come across the wire) taking a step back or away from the higher levels of sports. It has me wondering why? Is it athletes wising up to the challenges of being a high-level athlete? Is it a younger generation that isn't used to the strain and adversary of being a high-level athlete? Is it a little bit of both? Or some other reason?

As someone else noted, she's retired before, and has had a slew of injury issues in the past year or so. She famously spent 6+ months traveling with her entourage to play last year, not returning home at all, due to AUS travel restrictions. So yeah: injury, burnout, fatigue, all of the above.

Tennis is one of those sports that's become nearly year-round now, so it won't be surprising to see more athletes retiring at younger ages for the same reason(s) as Barty.

(On a side note, we've been really spoiled in men's tennis with the Djokovic/Nadal/Federer trifecta. Who knows how the game will evolve, but I'd not be shocked at all if we don't see any of the current generations step up and even begin to approach that kind of dominance. I think we're re-entering an era where someone with 3-5 majors will be considered an "all-timer" again, for various reasons.)

[jumpSeat]

Originally Posted by Bub13

(On a side note, we've been really spoiled in men's tennis with the Djokovic/Nadal/Federer trifecta. Who knows how the game will evolve, but I'd not be shocked at all if we don't see any of the current generations step up and even begin to approach that kind of dominance.

Yeah, you make an interesting point. I oft wonder what with all the modern distractions of social media and internet entertainment (bombarding us 24 hours a day), if it isn't harder than ever to reach the status of elite athlete?

It certainly seems like it would take a lot more discipline.

That said, I suppose the counter balance would be that coaching, training methods and equipment have never been better, but I still can't help wondering if it isn't harder for the new generation to be as single-mindedly focused as those who preceded them?

This may be an apples to oranges comparison, but when I think of the great classical composers (Beethoven, Bach, Chopin, et al), these were all musical geniuses that lived in simpler times. During their era, there weren't nearly as many distractions as there are today, which presumably helped them devote themselves almost entirely to their music. (Total commitment, much like a monk).

As a result, they reached levels of artistry that have never been replicated, and may never be seen again.

If any of this is even close to being true, do you think we could see something similar someday in athletic pursuits?