Ash Barty weighs in on golfing rumour
Retired tennis star Ash Barty has dispelled rumours she is switching to a career in professional golf, revealing she “will never play another professional sport”.
Speaking to Today’s Ally Langdon about life after hanging up her tennis racket earlier in the year, Barty addressed the speculation that she was swapping her racket for a golf club in the wake of her retirement announcement.
“I love golf, but much to everyone’s disappointment, I will never be playing professionally,” she said.
“I will never be playing another professional sport. I’ve got other things that I would love to do.
“I love it as a hobby, but it’s not for me.”
When asked about her final two wins, first at Wimbledon then the Australian Open, Barty said she may “break some Aussies’ hearts” when it came to her favourite success.
“I feel like I’m going to break some Aussies’ hearts but Wimbledon was the one, Wimbledon was the one that I’ve always wanted the most,” she said.
“It’s the feelings and the memories that you keep forever - the trophies and accolades mean nothing, it is the moments, the memories, the emotions that you create through that opportunity (that) is the most exciting.”
The 26-year-old revealed that things haven’t slowed down since her retirement.
“I’m not going anywhere, it’s just that I’m no longer travelling around, hitting a little yellow fluffy ball,” Barty said.
She added that settling into a routine with her partner, Garry, and her dogs has also been nice.
“Just actually being in my kitchen, being in my house - cleaning - I find it really therapeutic,” she said.
“I love cooking, I love just being home.”
Alongside enjoying life’s simplicities, Barty has been working on a special new project, a children’s book series called Little Ash that is based on her upbringing and the values she was raised with.
“It’s been such a fun process to go through and really relive some of my favourite childhood memories and bring them to life,” Barty said.
“I always wanted to contribute to kids' books in my way.”
The first four books in the six-part series have been released, with the remaining two due hit shelves in early November.
To watch Barty’s full interview, head here.
Image: Today