Tennis star Ash Barty makes bold appeal ahead of WTA Finals with tantalizing $ 6.7 million bid
Australian tennis star Ash Barty makes shock appeal that will cost him $ 6.7 million
- Ash Barty decided not to chase after $ 6.7 million in WTA Finals winnings
- Rather, she will prepare for the 2022 Australian Open which she has yet to win
- She will end the 2021 season as world No.1 regardless of the results elsewhere
Ash Barty will not defend his season-ending crown after officially ending his stellar 2021 season on Saturday – missing a potential salary of $ 6.7 million in the process.
The Australian world No.1 has not played since the US Open in September and says she is now focused on preparing for the Australian summer and another tilt in her home grand slam in Melbourne.
In the meantime, she will be resting at her home in Brisbane with her family and her boyfriend, 30-year-old professional golfer Garry Kissick.
The 25-year-old has added five more titles to her name this season, including a second major at Wimbledon in July, and is sure to finish No.1 at the end of the year for a third consecutive campaign.
Wimbledon winner Ash Barty will not defend her end-of-season crown after officially ending her stellar 2021 season on Saturday – missing a potential salary of $ 6.7 million in the process
Barty decided to take the rest of 2021 and hang out with boyfriend Garry Kissick
In July, Barty became the first Australian to win Wimbledon in 41 years after Evonne Goolagong Cawley.
The winner of the Akron WTA final in Guadalajara from November 10 to 17 this year receives US $ 5 million, or just under A $ 6.7 million.
She won $ 3 million for winning Wimbledon, but is one of the top 20 all-time female winners with $ 21 million in career earnings.
Barty pocketed the biggest check in tennis history for $ 6.4 million after winning the WTA final in Shenzhen in 2019 before last year’s edition was called off due to the pandemic .
Not wanting to endure a second two-week quarantine stint in just two months, having returned home to Queensland in September, Barty chose not to make it to the 2021 WTA Finals relocated to Mexico.
“I wanted to let everyone know that I will not be competing in any other tournament in 2021, including the WTA Finals in Mexico,” Barty said in a statement on Saturday.
“It was a tough decision, but I have to prioritize my body and my recovery from our 2021 season and focus on the best preseason for the Australian summer.”
“With the constant challenges of returning to Queensland and the quarantine requirements, I’m not ready to compromise my preparation for January.”
Barty’s previous best result at the Australian Open was his semi-final loss in January 2020.
“I wish the WTA team and the players all the best for a successful WTA Final and the rest of the year.”
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