BRISBANE (AFP) – Ashleigh Barty was coy about her future on Thursday (March 24), telling media “you’ll have to wait and see” as hypothesis mounted about what comes subsequent after her shock retirement from tennis.
The world No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam champion shocked the tennis world on Wednesday by quitting aged simply 25, saying she had fulfilled her goals and was “spent physically”.
It sparked an outpouring of reward for the down-to-earth Australian, led by American nice Serena Williams.
Barty spoke publicly for the primary time on Thursday since her announcement however repeatedly deflected questions on her future plans.
“You’ll have to wait and see, I’m not giving you everything right now. It’s all right, you can be patient. Patience is a virtue,” she instructed reporters in Brisbane. “We’ll see.”
Barty beforehand walked away from tennis to play in cricket’s Big Bash League, with native media speculating a return to the crease may very well be on the playing cards, and even turning into an expert golfer or enjoying Australian Rules.
“I have seen some brilliant photoshops as a jockey, lawn bowls,” the multi-talented Barty joked.
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“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 affirm she wished to work extra with indigenous Australians and spend time together with her mum and pop, calling herself “a homebody”.
“I have always wanted to have the time to contribute more in other ways,” Barty mentioned.
“And I think 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, however Barty wouldn’t say when.
In a social media message on Wednesday, Barty mentioned reaching her life-time dream of profitable Wimbledon final yr modified her perspective and sparked retirement ideas.
