25 March,2022 08:29 AM IST | Brisbane | AFP
Ashleigh Barty
Ashleigh Barty was coy about her future on Thursday, telling media "you'll have to wait and see" as speculation mounts about what comes next after her shock retirement from tennis. The World No.1 and three-time Grand Slam champion stunned the tennis world on Wednesday by quitting aged just 25, saying she had fulfilled her dreams and was "spent physically". It sparked an outpouring of praise for the down-to-earth Australian, led by Serena Williams. Barty spoke publicly for the first time on Thursday since her announcement but repeatedly deflected questions on her future plans.
"You'll have to wait and see, I'm not giving you everything right now. It's alright, you can be patient. Patience is a virtue," she told reporters in Brisbane. "We'll see." Barty previously walked away from tennis to play in cricket's Big Bash League, with local media speculating a return to the crease could be on the cards, or even becoming a professional golfer or playing Australian Rules.
"I have seen some brilliant photoshops as a jockey, lawn bowls," the multi-talented Barty joked. "I love sport, I'm a sport nut like a lot of Australians are. I'll be lured to it. I have always been an athlete in the sense of trying different things, but we'll see how we go." She did confirm she wanted to work more with Indigenous Australians and spend time with her mum and dad, calling herself "a homebody". "I have always wanted to have the time to contribute more in other ways," Barty said.
ALSO READ
Retired tennis champion Ashleigh Barty announces birth of baby boy
Nick Kyrgios’s absence has fans worshipping ‘Demon’ Alex
Rafael Nadal: It’s one of my toughest first-round games
No.1 Iga Swiatek inspired by Ashleigh Barty for intense opener Down Under
World No.1 Iga Swiatek in future focus mode
"Now I have got that opportunity and I've been fortunate enough to have so many opportunities given to me from tennis, and now I'm ready to really give back in ways that I'm passionate about." Marriage is on the horizon to long-term boyfriend Garry Kissick. A date has been set, but Barty would not say when.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever