Ash Barty
The news that Ash Barty has taken the decision to retire at the age of 25 has caused many people to react. Some understand, others question, others accuse. Her decision has touched off a few ideas of my own.
When is enough actually enough? When do we decide we have enough? When can we stop and just be content with what we have?
At 25 she has achieved so much. I have seen words accusing her of lack of character, of quitting or of not having the mental fortitude (one person I saw was wondering what was wrong with women's tennis?) I think none of these people can really speak with any authority. First of all most of these people, writing the drivel, can hardly speak from a place of success. How many grand slams have they won? How many tens of millions of dollars have they earned, how many weeks at number one have they spend and how well known are they in the world?
At some point, enough is enough. I respect Ash Barty for taking a personal decision. She has enough. She has had amazing experiences and reach the pinnacle of her sport. What more does one need? For some they need 5-6-7-8 grand slams. Tens of millions of dollars is not enough...shoot for hundreds please! I respect Ash for going against the popular stream of thought. She can move on and do so much more and live her life her way. Not the way the business of tennis, of sports or of media want. Full marks to Ash for that.
When is enough, enough? Do we always need more? Growth every year, an extra TV, an extra serving at dinner, a bigger house, a this or a that. Most people in the so-called first world could, if they removed emotion and thought logically, live their life just fine next year if they only had what they had this year. We need to stop falling in the trap of more more more.
Way to go Ash! We have been lucky that you have shared a part of your life with us. Keeping living your way. You've taught society a lesson. Thanks for that.
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