World number one Ashleigh Barty announces shock retirement from tennis aged 25

WTA world number one Ashleigh Barty has stunned tennis by announcing her retirement at the age of just 25.

"I kind of wasn't quite sure how I was going do this but I think so many times in my life both my professional and my personal. You've been there for me," Barty said.

"And I just couldn't think there's no right way there's no wrong way. It's just my way and this is perfect for me to share it with you to talk to you about it with my team, my loved ones that I'll be retiring from tennis.

"And so first time I've actually said it out loud and yeah, it's hard to say, but I'm so happy and I'm so ready and I just know at the moment in my heart for me as a person, this is right.

"And I know I've done this before, but in a very different feeling. And I'm so grateful to everything that tennis has given me it's given me all of my dreams possible, but I know that the time is right now for me to step away and chase other dreams."

The news comes as a huge shock, with Barty just winning the Australian Open in January this year.

"Today is difficult and filled with emotion for me as I announce my retirement from tennis," Barty wrote in her Instagram post.

"I wasn't sure how to share this news with you so I asked my good friend Casey Dellacqua to help me. I am so thankful for everything this sport has given me and leave feeling proud and fulfilled.

"Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way, I'll always be grateful for the lifelong memories that we created together."

Barty said she had been thinking about retiring for a while, citing winning Wimbledon and completing that dream as the moment she considered walking away.

The only challenge she felt remained to her was the Australian Open, so now that has been achieved she has decided to 'put down the rackets.'