Emma Raducanu rules out Ash Barty-style early retirement as US Open champ says she will play into her 30s
EMMA RADUCANU insists she won’t follow Ash Barty’s lead and quit tennis in her prime.
The Brit ace was left stunned with the rest of the sporting world after the Aussie world No1 and three time slam winner suddenly decided to hang up her racket at the age of 25.
But the reigning US Open champ, 19, is at the beginning of her tennis journey, and ready to play the long game.
Raducanu, who is set to make her Miami Open debut this week, said: “I just want to wish Ash all the best because she had a great career.
“I think she set out to achieve everything. I actually really wanted to play Ash, it would have been such a good challenge for me.
“I think she was a great player and she brought a lot of variety to the game.
“I really respected that. I took a lot of inspiration from her, just how she’s able to mix things up.
“She was always really friendly to be around, as well, in the locker room.
“She taught me how to kick an Aussie Rules football once, too.
“But I think that Ash’s retirement just shows how personal everyone’s objectives and goals are.
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“I feel like if I set out with a goal when I’m starting to play tennis, I achieve that, like, once I’m happy, it kind of makes sense to finish on a high, if you know what I mean. I feel like it is personal.
“For me, I want to be in the game as long as possible. I’m only 19. I’ve just come on tour, which is pretty young.
“Now I think the tour is getting younger. There are a lot of great players who are also young.
“I want to be in the game till I’m in my thirties. We’ll see what happens and how long I can last, to be honest.”