Ash Barty’s tennis future remains shrouded in mystery after dropping tantalising hint

Ash Barty shocked the sporting world by walking away from tennis but the three-time Grand Slam champion has left a cryptic clue for her fans.

Ash Barty during her retirement press conference. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Ash Barty has closed the door on tennis but admits “it’s not padlocked’’ as her sporting future remains shrouded in mystery.

Barty, 25, has retired from professional tennis in the prime of her career and there are many precedents, including Barty herself, of champion players leaving the sport then making surprise comebacks.

So is this the end?

“I’d say you never say never,’’ Barty said. “I’d say the door is closed but it’s not padlocked.

“I’m never one to absolutely say never, never, never. But, yeah, it feels like it’s closed.

“I feel like I’ve given absolutely everything to the sport and there is nothing more for me to give.

Watch Tennis Live with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. Live Coverage of ATP + WTA Tour Tournaments including Every Finals Match. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Ash Barty during her retirement press conference. Picture: Liam Kidston.

“But I know that tennis will always be a massive part of my life and I’ll be able to contribute in different ways, which is maybe why that connection with tennis will always be there.”

There is likely to be a stampede to Barty’s door from a myriad of sports with Golf Australia already promising any assistance she needs if she decides to join their tour.

The Brisbane Heat franchise for which she played during a break from the tennis circuit are equally enthusiastic and the Brisbane Lions women’s AFL team has the attraction of the Lions new home base in her home region of Springfield.

Barty once said her family genes in golf, with her father Rob a former top amateur, were even stronger than in tennis. Her fiancée Garry Kissick is a trainee golf professional.

But – for now at least – the three handicapper and 2020 Brookwater club champion insists she sees golf as a pastime not a profession.

Asked whether she would love to have a crack at a golfing career, Barty quipped: “I’d love to stop having 10-over and love to stop playing once every six months.

“But, no, I love golf as a hobby. For me it’s really relaxing. It’s probably the one sport that I don’t get super competitive at.

“It’s the one sport that I relax. And it doesn’t matter whether I shoot 70 or 100. It’s just that three, four, five hour walk with my mates and enjoying it with my friends. This is what I love the most.’’

“I’ve seen some pretty funny photoshops. I know a few athletes from other sports and they’ve just reached out and given support, which has been great. But, yeah, who knows what’s next, we’ll see.’’

Ash Barty lifts the Australian Open trophy. Picture: Aaron Francis/AFP

Barty is getting married this year but her diary is deliberately uncluttered for the next few months as she absorbs the first blissful flush of retirement.

Apart from declaring her intention to stay connected to her Indigenous roots with more visits to the Australian outback, Barty remained playfully non-committal about her sporting future – if she has one – urging reporters at her farewell press conference to wait and see.

She may not have declared any special interest but, significantly, nothing was ruled out and it would surprise if she did not play another sport at some stage, even at a lower level.

“I have always been an athlete in the sense of trying different things but we’ll see how we go.”

Barty confirmed that retirement thoughts had entered her mind after she won Wimbledon last year and crystallised during her Australian Open victory in Melbourne two months ago.

When asked whether she knew her cross court forehand winner which sealed a victory in the final would be her last shot as a professional player she smiled and said “yes and no.’’

“It was such an incredible moment to share with so many people in the crowd,’’ she said.

“That crowd, the final of the Australian Open was like nothing I have ever played in front of before. There is no perfect timing but that was our perfect way. After Wimbledon, my perspective changed a lot.

“I’ve never, never been a prisoner. I think the Australian public allowed me to be myself. They allowed me to make mistakes. They allowed me to be imperfect. And it just made it so much fun for me.’’

Originally published as Ash Barty’s tennis future remains shrouded in mystery after dropping tantalising hint