What Ash Barty did next
Former world No.1 Ash Barty, who shocked the sporting world when she announced her retirement from tennis last month at just 25, has revealed details of what she is doing next.
There has been speculation that she would return to cricket or become a serious golfer. But … she has revealed she will produce a series of children’s books, titled Little Ash.
Publisher HarperCollins has already begun promoting the books. “It’s the day of the tennis tournament and Ash is so excited to compete,” says an excerpt on the publisher’s website.
The books will be illustrated by First Nations artists Jasmin McGaughey and Jade Goodwin and the first in the series is scheduled to be published in July.
Did you have children's book author on your list of possible career moves for Ash Barty? What else do you think she will do?
I am surprised but good on her.
Another surprise ...
Retired tennis star Ash Barty has made a surprise appearance at Bells Beach to see a group of Australian surfers keep their Rip Curl Pro hopes alive.
Barty has a laugh with seven-time world surfing champ Stephanie Gilmore. The reigning Australian Open champ joked that Gilmore might give her lessons in future.
Barty said she wasn't a surfing expert but had joined the crowd to support her "mates".
"This is unreal, the first time for me coming down here, a beautiful part of the world, and get to watch a few mates do their thing – it’s pretty cool," she said.
Full ABC story.