Ash Barty: "The fire died inside. I've got nothing left, no spark."

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

She bailed before the wheels fell off. Not anything new in tennis history, and for those who were crying that she was owning the tour, if that were the case, she would have possesed the confidence (and ability) to remain long enough to win the Grand Slam, but her particular game / court sense did not give any indicators that she was that kind of player.

 

[AgassiSuperSlam11]

I think the fire died when she got that record breaking $4.3 m check at that YEC.
The money is what’s hurting these pros at the very top.

Michael Jordan and Julius Irving (aka Dr. J for the youngsters) both speaking together agreed that $$$ changed the NBA since many of the young players were getting big contracts and major shoe endorsements up front and their motivation for winning an NBA title didn't mean much since they had financial security.

The difference between playing sports for fun and for prize money is the money involved. Not every athlete will retain the same motivation if they established financial security. Even any working stiff if they are in a decent financial situation at the time might be more reluctant to stay at a job they hate if they know they can pay their bills for the foreseeable future. I can speak for myself and others who have made this determination when the opportunity presented itself.

As for Barty her heart is not 100% into Tennis and that prize $$$ and added financial security definitely made her decision much easier.

 

[Azure]

Michael Jordan and Julius Irving (aka Dr. J for the youngsters) both speaking together agreed that $$$ changed the NBA since many of the young players were getting big contracts and major shoe endorsements up front and their motivation for winning an NBA title didn't mean much since they had financial security.

The difference between playing sports for fun and for prize money is the money involved. Not every athlete will retain the same motivation if they established financial security. Even any working stiff if they are in a decent financial situation at the time might be more reluctant to stay at a job they hate if they know they can pay their bills for the foreseeable future. I can speak for myself and others who have made this determination when the opportunity presented itself.

As for Barty her heart is not 100% into Tennis and that prize $$$ and added financial security definitely made her decision much easier.

To be honest I want to work only until I have a few things financially set too. That said I am not too passionate about what I do either.

 

[sportsfan1]

Barty perhaps the best wta player to retire early?

To be honest I want to work only until I have a few things financially set too. That said I am not too passionate about what I do either.

What'd you rather work on?

 

[Djokodalerer31]

Barty perhaps the best wta player to retire early?


What'd you rather work on?

No...that would be Justine Henin! Yes, i know there was a brief period in the early 10's where she attempted to comeback, but let's not talk about that, outside of her final match at the AO against S.Williams there is not much to talk about in that half-arsed comeback attempt (better than Borg's comeback in early 90's though, i'll give her that much...LOL), the real and only retirement date of Henin was May 2008...everything after didn't happen...