Wednesday Morning: Tennis' Ashleigh Barty Announces Retirement At 25

Women's World Number One is defending Wimbledon & Australian Open champion

TENNIS

World number one Ash Barty has made the shock decision to retire from professional tennis at the age of 25.

Barty says she has "nothing more to give" physically, and is ready to "chase other dreams".

In January, the reigning Wimbledon champion became the first home player to win the Australian Open singles title in 44 years.

Making the announcement on her Instagram page, Barty says she is ready for a life outside of playing the game at the top level:

Former Men's World Number One, Andy Murray says he's happy for Ash Barty but "gutted for tennis" after her retirement announcement.

Romanian player Simona Halep tweeted saying, "what's next for you? Grand Slam champion in golf?!" in a nod to the Australian's sporting talent which has also seen her compete as a professional cricketer.

The Women's Tennis Association has thanked Barty on behalf of "every young girl that has looked up to you".

Our 2021 champion has announced her retirement from tennis 💚 💜

It's been a pleasure, @ashbarty pic.twitter.com/xcqn9fl2Il

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) March 23, 2022

SOCCER

Wayne Rooney and Patrick Vieira have been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.

Rooney - who made his first top flight appearance at just 16-years-old - went on to score 208 goals and is the second highest scorer of all time.

Crystal Palace manager Vieira arrived in England relatively unknown before going on to win three Premier League titles at the heart of Arsenal's midfield.

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Stephen Kenny says new Republic of Ireland coach John Eustace has already brought some "thought-provoking" ideas.

QPR assistant boss Eustace was installed as Anthony Barry’s replacement on Kenny's backroom staff earlier this week.

Meanwhile, Kenny says he won’t call up a replacement for Darragh Lenihan.

The defender has returned to his club Blackburn after scans revealed a groin injury.

The Republic of Ireland under-19's begin the elite phase of European Championship qualifying this evening.

They face Group 3 hosts England at Walsall's Bescot Stadium, where kick-off is at 7.30pm.

Portugal play Armenia in the group’s other game, with kick-off at St. George's Park at 1pm.

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Ireland's under-17's play group hosts Portugal in the opening game of their elite qualifying phase.

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The women's under-17's are also in Euro qualifier action this evening against Slovakia.

BOXING

Jack Marley will look to claim Ireland's third gold medal of the European Under-22 Boxing Championships today.

The Dubliner faces Italy’s Roberto Lizzi in the heavyweight final in Croatia.

Yesterday saw Lisa O'Rourke and Niamh Fay win gold in the light-middleweight and bantamweight divisions respectively.

While Middleweight Aoibhe Carabine took home silver.

GOLF

Shane Lowry and Seamus Power are both in action later on the opening day of the WGC Match Play in Austin.

Power gets his Group 4 campaign underway just after 6.30pm Irish time, when he plays Sungjae Im.

While Lowry is in Group 16, and plays Harold Varner The Third this evening.

RACING

There's an eight-race card at Dundalk this evening.

The first goes to post at 5pm.