Teenage Australian tennis prospect Ashleigh Barty has decided to walk away from the sport.

In a statement released on Friday, Barty said she made the decision after a straight-sets defeat to Barbora Strycova Zahlavova in the first round of US Open at the end of August.

Barty had progressed to the main draw of the tournament through qualifying.

“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 the 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.

“I’ve enjoyed some incredible experiences on the tennis tour and would like to thank my coach, Jason (Stoltenberg), and the team at TA (Tennis Australia) for all of its hard work and support throughout my journey so far.

“I will be following results closely and hope that the Aussies have a great summer and start to 2015.”

Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tilley said he supported Barty’s decision.

“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,” Tilley said.