We recently ran a story on Ashleigh Barty emerging victorious in the Women’s Australian Open earlier this year. Today, a few weeks down the road, we are running a story about Ashleigh Barty’s shock retirement at the age of 25 from the world of tennis.

Many of us may have a lump in our throat – many feel she had so much more in her – many think she was a role model to younger ones and now that’s down to dust. Some even chuckle that she won what she could, maxed out the money and quit a dream, thereby stripping her off iconic status, phenomena and leadership.

But what truly is leadership? Is it about being on the cover of a top magazine for eternity? Is it holding the heaviest wallet? Is it about trending indefinitely on social media? Is it being in a massive investor pool? Is it being on your private charter and stamping your passport numerous times a month? Is it doing things you may not want to so that you stay relevant?

Well interestingly in the case of Ashleigh Barty, the most commonly cited reason for quitting the tennis arena is linked to the toll it takes on the body. Additionally, the DNA of the sport and its increasing demands from a time, training, travel, pressure and mental perspective.

But knowing when to quit something that you excel in for another priority or a plethora of other opportunities which may or may not be business and income related is also LEADERSHIP. Listening to yourself and making better decisions which are painstakingly hard because you have to kill your passion for a better tomorrow is also Leadership. Bowing out with grace when you’re at the top of your game to create time for other things you want to achieve is also Leadership.

As mentioned by Ashleigh Barty, “I know how 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 that in me any more.’ Physically, I have nothing more to give. I’ve given absolutely everything I have to this beautiful sport of tennis, and I’m really happy with that.

“For me, that is my success.”

Let’s also recognize Simone Biles, one of the most decorated Olympians of all time, who pulled out from The Tokyo Olympics 2021 (all-round final) owing to mental health issues. Till date she echoes she should have pulled out way before.

“This Olympic Games, I wanted it to be for myself. I came in and I felt like I was still doing it for other people,” Biles said after the team final. “That just hurts my heart that doing what I love has been kind of taken away from me to please other people.” said Simone Biles.

She also tweeted “The outpouring love & support I’ve received has made me realize I’m more than my accomplishments and gymnastics which I never truly believed before.”

To me, this acceptance and profound understanding of yourself, your inner voice, your inner core and the ability to recognize and execute it – this is Leadership in Action. To me, Ashleigh Barty and Simone Biles and the likes of several others prioritizing themselves are without a doubt Ladies Who Lead.

About the Contributor:

• Nikhil Sangha is a creative content writer, actor and voice over artist.

He has written social media content and shorts for brands like LWL, GQ, Coca Cola, MasterCard, Yes Bank Foundation, TLLLF – The Deepika Padukone Foundation, Bosch, Siemens, Škoda and HRX among others.