(CNN) World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty has shocked the tennis world by announcing her retirement from the sport after winning three major singles titles in the last three years.
"Today is difficult and filled with emotion for me as I announce my retirement from tennis," the 25-year-old Australian said in the caption of an Instagram post Wednesday.
"I am so thankful for everything this sport has given me and leave feeling proud and fulfilled. Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way, I'll always be grateful for the lifelong memories that we created together."
The post included a video, filmed with retired Australian tennis player Casey Dellacqua, in which Barty further explains her decision.
"There was a perspective shift in me in the second phase of my career, that my happiness wasn't dependent on the results, and success for me is knowing I've given absolutely everything I can," she said.
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