Ash Barty wanted a home BJK Cup finale to end her career, like her bestfriend Casey Dellacqua

Dellacqua, Barty's former doubles teammate, helped the world No.1 announce her shock retirement on Wednesday in an interview on Instagram.

The 37-year-old played her final match alongside Barty back in early 2018 during a BJK Cup match in Canberra, and Barty wished to close her own professional career the same way.

"After the Australian Open, I was really hoping that we'd get the opportunity to play a home Fed Cup tie but that wasn't meant to be, that wasn't the case," Barty said.

"For me the time was right, I'd given absolutely everything that I could to this sport, and I knew that it wouldn't be fair to my team and the people that have invested so much time and energy into my life to not be 100 per cent committed for them. So it's been a hell of a journey, I wouldn't change a thing, and I certainly have no regrets."

READ MORE: 'You'll have to wait and see': Barty's future plans a patience game

Australia could have been given one more glimpse at Barty if Australia's Cup qualifier tie against Slovakia set for mid-April was not derailed.

The Russian Tennis Federation was suspended from participation in ITF team competitions and as the 2021 champions, the team had qualified automatically for the 2022 Cup finals. Instead the finals position was granted to Australia as the highest-ranked team to exit in the 2021 semi-finals, negating a need for a tie against Slovakia.

Dellacqua was guest speaking at the ACT Women in Sport and Leadership Brunch on Thursday morning back at Canberra Tennis Centre, where she played her last match.

"My last match was actually here on this court. It was playing with Ash my best mate, it was actually on my birthday Feb 11. All the stars aligned and for me, it felt like the right moment but I actually hadn't announced it publicly," she said.

"It's had its challenges, there's no doubt about it. Because so much of your life you identify yourself as a tennis player and that's what you wake up doing."

READ MORE: Barty Party ends: Australia remembers its tennis golden child

The French Open mixed doubles champion provided a glimpse into what 25-year-old Barty will face in her retirement.

"I'm extremely proud of Ash. It's sad for tennis, because we'll never get to see that beautiful slice back and we won't get to see her wonderful on-court demeanour, the way she goes about how she plays," she said.

"But I can't wait to see what's next for her. I think she's gonna kill it with whatever she does next.

"I was really comfortable with my decision, but has it had its challenges in terms of my purpose and what I wanted to do after tennis? Yeah, I've definitely had moments.

"I've tried everything under the sun, I've done coaching, I've done commentary, I've done administrative work, I've done a lot of different things, and I've given myself that time to work through that."

Dellacqua was court side for her best friend's, and the best player in the world's, final match back in January at Rod Laver Arena for the Australian Open final.

She said she was extremely nervous, and was asked to do commentary but declined and asked to sit courtside instead to support Barty.

"I thought ... this is a massive moment in Australian sport and I think we all felt that, didn't we? I feel like we all felt like this was a 'where were you moment' and I wanted to be courtside," she said.

"I was sitting across from Ash, I knew she wouldn't look over but if she needed to I was going to be there for her. I guess in a way, being a parent as well, I've always seen Ash as my little sister in a lot of ways.

"Tennis is a really tough sport. So I wanted to be there for Ash and I was just so proud of her. Yes, I was nervous. I don't really remember what happened much throughout the match, but just thrilled that I could be there and witnessed her with the weight of a nation really execute her best tennis."

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