Ash The Author: Ash Barty Reveals Shock Career Move Following Tennis Retirement
The former world number one will be hitting bookshelfs later this year.
Well, it's fair to say nobody saw this coming.
Following her bombshell retirement from professional tennis, Ash Barty has announced her first career move, and it's one nobody would have predicted.
The Aussie superstar has revealed she has turned her attention to producing a series of children's books.
The Courier-Mail first reported Barty's series will be titled 'Little Ash' and will be based on the three-time grand slam champion's real-life experiences on and off the tennis court.
The six-book series, written and illustrated with First Nations creatives Jasmin McGaughey and Jade Goodwin and will be available for purchase in July from publisher HarperCollins.
"It's the day of the tennis tournament and Ash is so excited to compete," a blurb 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?"
Barty's move from tennis player to author has been brought about by her five-year old niece, Lucy.
"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."
Despite her retirement from tennis, it appears 2022 will be a big year for Barty as she plans to also write a memoir along with tying the knot with her long-term partner, Garry Kissick.
Barty also showed her skills on the golf course last week, with the 25-year-old winning a tournament in Brisbane.
Barty was at the height of her powers before her retirement, holding the world number one ranking and claiming her third grand slam title at the Australian Open but she believed she had achieved all of her dreams in tennis and the time was now right to chase dreams off the court.
Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Ryan Rosendale