Details of Ash Barty's shock new career move revealed
Ash Barty has thrown the sporting world a huge curveball, with new details coming to light about the former tennis champion's latest career move.
Australia's former World No.1 and three-time grand slam winner left the world in shock last month after announcing her sudden retirement from tennis at the age of 25, and while at the very top of the sport.
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Barty created history earlier this year when she became the first local player to win the Australian Open title since Chris O'Neil in 1978.
Having also claimed major titles at Wimbledon and the French Open, plus numerous other WTA trophies and an Olympic bronze medal, Barty revealed that there were other goals she wanted to achieve in the next chapter of her life.
It's sparked a frenzy of debate from fans around the world about which sport Barty might venture into next, after a hugely successful tennis career.
Barty was famous for keeping opponent's guessing on the court and the 25-year-old's next career move is sure to come as a shock to many.
The Queenslander has revealed that she's producing a series of children’s books, titled Little Ash, in her first major project since hanging up the racquet.
The Courier Mail reported that the six-book series will be based on the real-life experiences of the three-time grand slam winner - both on an off the court.
The Little Ash series is set to be available for purchase in July and was illustrated by First Nations artists Jasmin McGaughey and Jade Goodwin.
Publisher HarperCollins has already begun promoting the book series after offering fans a snippet of what to expect on their website.
“It’s the day of the tennis tournament and Ash is so excited to compete,” an excerpt on the publisher’s website reads.
“But Ash forgets her favourite hat, there’s a flat tyre and Ash wonders how they will ever get there! Will Ash arrive in time for her big match?”
Ash Barty's book series inspired by niece
Barty - who also plans to write a memoir about her career later this year - said her five-year-old niece Lucy was a major inspiration behind the book series.
“The project has been so much fun and something I have always wanted to do,” Barty said.
“Lucy was my north star. She is the perfect age to understand stories and storylines and read chapter books.
“Being able to read it to her will be great and to go up to readings to kids in rural areas is something I want to be really hands-on with.”
The news comes after speculation ramped up in recent days that Barty could be set for a career switch to golf, having won a recent women's competition at her local course, the Brookwater Golf and Country Club in Brisbane.
Playing off a handicap of 4, Barty finished two shots clear of her nearest rival to claim her first title since retiring from tennis.
While the $30 prize money may not reach the heights of the $31 million she banked during an illustrious tennis career, the win has again raised eyebrows.
Barty earned a staggering $31,920,112 across her tennis career, making her the 14th highest-earning female tennis player in history.
But while the 25-year-old revealed to reporters that a wedding date with her fiancé Garry Kissick had been set for this year, she remained coy on what her next professional move entailed.
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