How crazy is that: just 25 years old, unbeaten in this tennis year and undisputedly at the top of the world rankings, and then just stop?
Ashleigh Barty knows that a lot of people don't understand her decision to suddenly leave the glitz and glamor behind.
She could have made a chunk more than the $24 million she raked in in prize money, and she could have had a little more celebration in the stadiums, if only at a farewell game.
But once the amazement at the Australian's resignation has subsided, there is nothing but respect for the consistent decision.
strength and maturity
Ash Barty knows what she can take on.
She's known since she was an aspiring teenager, when expectations became too much for her and she took some time off.
When she now says of herself, "I'm worn out," that's an admission of weakness that shows great strength and maturity.
Barty's decision also sheds light on the sacrifice that tennis professionals in particular have to make.
In hardly any sport is the season so long, from January to November.
And when they no longer rush through the world fighting for titles and world ranking points, then they have to prepare for the next grueling season in the gym at the end of the year.
Vacation, family, friends?
Mostly stay on track.
Commuting between tennis courts and hotel rooms for many years requires the highest level of motivation and extreme self-discipline and can be almost insane.
That's why you should look more graciously at Barty's compatriot Nick Kyrgios and not immediately condemn him in his role as a tennis clown.
Kyrgios has also confessed how much the distance to family and friends weighs on him and that he often prefers to play basketball cheerfully than tennis seriously.
The professional organizations of the WTA and ATP take Barty's abrupt end as a beacon, they should reconsider their exuberant tournament plans.
Expansion and revenues aside: for the athletes, the ordeal is becoming almost unbearable.
The WTA is now facing a huge problem: With Barty, she lost one of her few stars - alongside Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka - from one day to the next.
What remains are great players who are hardly suitable as magnificent draft horses globally.
Andy Murray summed it up with a tweet.
He is happy for Barty but devastated for tennis.
And things could get worse soon if vulnerable Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal also disappear.