World No. 1 tennis player – Ashleigh Barty has commended rival and colleague – Barbora Strycova after her shock retirement announcement.
The 25-year-old Ipswich born won her semifinal game against Petra Kvitova [6-1, 3-6, 6-3] at the Madrid Open but, instead of celebrating she decided to praise Strycova.
“Hell of a chick,” she wrote.
“I have always had enormous love for this amazing sport. Even though all the pain, tears, renunciation and sweat, all the great moment and victories were worth it!”
“Hell of a person, someone who was always bright, bubbly, wore her heart on her sleeve on the court, but was probably one of the most respected in the locker room.”
“Genuinely put herself out on the court in a way where you know she never left anything out there, but would also look you in the eye, shake your hand, say ‘Well done’ or ‘too good.'”
The Czech star announced she was pregnant on March 26th and has now announced her retirement from the sport.
“Dear fans…or I should say friends,” Strycova she wrote.
“As you might have heard, I announced my retirement from professional tennis today. It feels weird. Until now, tennis was the only world I knew.
“I have always had enormous love for this amazing sport. Even though all the pain, tears, renunciation and sweat, all the great moment and victories were worth it!”
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