Elina Svitolina reacts to Ashleigh Barty's shock retirement from tennis

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Former world No. 3 Elina Svitolina showed her respect to Ashleigh Barty after the Australian announced a shock retirement from tennis at the age of 25. On Wednesday, Barty announced her decision to walk away from the game. Barty left the game as a three-time Grand Slam champion and the current world No.

1. Svitolina and Barty clashed eight times as the Ukrainian holds a 5-3 head-to-head over the Australian. "Nothing but RESPECT for you @ashbarty !!! All the best in your retirement and congratulations on your distinguished career," Svitolina wrote on Twitter.

Barty on her decision to retire

Barty achieved her childhood dream of winning Wimbledon after she defeated Karolina Pliskova in last year's final at The Championships. Barty's next big goal was to finally win an Australian Open title.

This past January, Barty won the Australian Open without a dropped set at Melbourne Park. "There was a perspective shift in me in this second phase of my career that my happiness wasn't dependant on the results. Success for me is knowing that I've given everything that I can, I'm fulfilled, I'm happy," Barty said in a conversation with Casey Dellacqua.

"I know much work it takes to bring the best out of yourself. I've said it to my team multiple times, I just don't have it in me anymore. I don't have the physical drive, the emotional want, and everything it takes to challenge yourself at the very top of the level anymore.

I just know that I'm absolutely spent. I know I have physically I have nothing more to give. That for me is success. I've given eveything I can to this beautiful sport of tennis. I'm really happy with that. For me that is my success." Barty was in prime of her career when she announced her retirement but she goals she wants to accomplish outside a tennis court.