It’s been an eventful week in the world of tennis but sadly it was more about players leaving the court than making news on it.
Besides Li Na’s retirement from the sport, Victoria Azarenka and Nick Kyrgios (who have been oddly flirting on Twitter) have pulled the plug on their season, while Aussie teenager Ashleigh Barty has taken an indefinite break from the game.
Barty, a Wimbledon junior champion as a 15-year-old in 2011, did not specify the reasons behind her decision but clearly the 18-year-old is not up for the gruelling tour at the moment.
“Since returning from the US Open my team and I have decided that right now it is best for me to take a break from professional tennis,” read Barty’s statement.
She has had – and continues to have – the full support of Tennis Australia and at such a young age, has already made nine grand slam main draw appearances, thanks to the numerous wildcards her federation has managed to secure through reciprocal deals with the other majors (last US Open was an exception, she had to qualify).
Barty has had unusual success on the doubles tour, reaching three senior major doubles finals last year with Casey Dellacqua, but those results weren’t mirrored in singles where she could only peak at 129 last year and has dropped to a current ranking of 220.
While it’s unclear whether Barty will eventually return to the sport or whether this break will end up being a smart move, her decision brings up numerous questions on how difficult it is becoming to nurture young talent in tennis.
Is it becoming more harmful to experience success at a young age?
And why was it okay for 17-year-olds to win slams 20 years ago, while now we end up losing young prospects before they even get started? Perhaps the huge sums of money and PR demands involved in today’s version of sport compared to the past play a part.
Whatever it is, it takes guts to walk away from the sport, and considering how Barty has tasted such unique success in doubles, it’s hard to imagine she won’t come back.
We’re seeing ex-teen prodigy Nicole Vaidisova return to tennis after a four-year hiatus and we’re awaiting a shocking potential return from Jennifer Capriati. Something tells me Barty won’t be gone too long.
In the meantime, Tennis Australia might want to figure some things out. Between Bernard Tomic’s shenanigans, Brad Mousely’s drug ban and Barty’s break (down), they’re top contenders for the world’s unluckiest federation title.
