A couple of months after Ashleigh Barty decided to leave tennis at the height of her career – which left her fans and colleagues speechless – she decided to dive into a new sporting adventure. She is the former world number one and three-time slam champion, she will take part in the Icon Series, an exhibition golf tournament scheduled for July.
With her, many other important personalities such as swimmer Michael Phelps and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. The event will take place at Liberty National in New Jersey. Barty, who surprisingly announced her retirement earlier this year after winning the Australian slam for the first time, is no stranger to these kinds of decisions.
Already in 2014 the Australian tennis player announced her retirement from tennis to pursue a career as a cricket player, returning to the circuit in 2016. This year, however, according to Barty herself, is a definitive retirement, since the former number one in the world declared that she no longer had stimuli and felt that she had already given everything she could give to this sport.
“I hope to encourage more girls to play golf around the world”
In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Barty commented on her choice to participate in the golf event. “I am thrilled to be part of the Icons Series.
And I hope that through my participation I can encourage more women and girls to participate in golf around the world. The event is also a great opportunity for athletes to have an impact on the local community and charity projects in each of the host destinations.”
The 26-year-old Australian has expressed her hope of receiving the warmth of the Australian public in New Jersey: “It is a unique opportunity to have fun, challenge yourself and compete against the greatest athletes in the world in a sport that we are so passionate about.
I can’t wait to experience the Liberty National and learn from our iconic captain, Ernie Els. I hope all Australian fans from New York and New Jersey come to cheer us on.”