Just weeks after announcing her shock retirement from tennis Ash Barty is set to return to competitive action this summer but in a different sport.
The three-time Grand Slam champion will be trading in her racket for a golf club to play in the newly created Icon Series event which will be held at the Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey. Founded by sports executive Thomas Brookes, the event aims to bring global icons together for them to take part in an ‘ultra-competitive team match-play tournament.’ The format features Team USA taking on Team world with Fred Couples and Ernie Els being the captains.
Barty’s inclusion has triggered speculation about what she may do in the future. The 25-year-old is a keen golfer and recently won the Brookwater Golf and Country Club ladies tournament. Her reward was a payment of A$30 (roughly £17) which is nothing compared to her prize money earnings of $23.8M from tennis. She also won a golf event in Brookwater back in 2020.
“I’m excited to be part of the Icons Series and I hope through my participation in the series that we can encourage more women and girls to participate in golf around the world,” Barty told the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper. “It’s such a unique opportunity to have fun, test yourself and compete against the world’s greatest athletes in a sport that we are all so passionate about.”
The Australian is the first and so far only female participant in the Icon Series. Although more names will be released in due course by officials. Barty will be joined in team world by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, the England football captain Harry Kane and boxer Canelo Alvarez.
According to ABC Australia, Barty reportedly has a handicap of four. Her golfer fiancee Garry Kissick is currently a PGA trainee at Brookwater.
It is not the first time Barty has tried her hands at another sport outside of tennis. During her career, she took a break from the sport and during that period she participated in professional women’s cricket in her native Australia. Playing for Brisbane Heat in the Women’s Big Bash League. However, it was only a brief spell with Barty returning to the tennis courts a few months later.
“I have seen some brilliant photoshops as a jockey, lawn bowls,” Barty joked earlier this year following speculation about what she may do beyond tennis.
“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.”
On the WTA Tour Barty won 15 titles, including three Grand Slam titles. Her last event was at the Australian Open in January where she became the first home player to win the women’s title since 1978.
