There are few more depressing sights in sport than watching a legend, in the twilight of their careers, going through the motions just because they don’t know how to let go. Too many athletes, having reached the top through sheer effort and determination, keep on going way past their peak when the mind is still willing, but the body is no longer ready or able. Not quitting while they are ahead or bowing out while at the top dents their reputations as they are outplayed and outperformed by the younger, fitter and hungrier generation of stars. And that is why I have nothing but huge admiration for Ashleigh Barty, who shook the tennis world last week by announcing her retirement at the ripe young age of 25. The Australian, who has been world number one for 114 consecutive weeks, decided it was time to stop being an ‘athlete’ and start being a ‘person’. And why the heck not? When she started in the sport her ambition was to win Wimbledon. She’s done that. And she’s also added a French Open and an Australian Open title as icing on the cake. “I know that people may not understand it. I’m OK with that. Because I know that Ash Barty the person has so many dreams she wants to chase...