Ash Barty, 18, surprised many tennis fans after announcing she needed an indefinite break from tennis.

The 2011 Wimbledon Girls junior champion has been on tour since age 13. She achieved her biggest success in the pro ranks by reaching three Grand Slam doubles finals with fellow Aussie Casey Dellacqua.

Per a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, Barty made the decision after consulting with her coaches and team.

"Since returning from the US Open, my team and I have decided that right now it is best for me to take a break from professional tennis," Barty said in a statement. "Obviously this has been a very difficult decision with the Australian summer coming up, but after a lot of thought we feel this is the right decision."

Barty, who reached a career high singles ranking of No. 129 in singles and No. 12 in doubles has struggled this season.

"All of us in the tennis family fully support Ash's decision to take a break from professional tennis at this time, and we wish her all the very best," Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley said on the news.

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