Ash Barty opens up on pursuing golf career after retiring from tennis

KARACHI: Ash Barty, a three-time Grand Slam champion, stunned the tennis community when she confirmed her retirement from the game aged 25.

Following her victory at the Australian Open, Barty announced her decision, saying she wanted to "chase other dreams." Because she has experience playing professional cricket for Queensland and Brisbane Heat while taking a break from tennis, there have been rumours that she would pursue a career in another sport.

Barty is a skilled golfer who has played in club competitions and most recently competed at St. Andrews before the 150th Open Championship, where she teamed up with former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen, Kathryn Newton of the American actresses Kathryn Newton, and The Vamps' lead singer Brad Simpson.

And Barty remained evasive when asked if she might consider a career in golf. "You never have that answer," she told Sky Sports.

"I love the sport, it has been a hobby of mine for a long time, but I don't know if I will ever be fully committed to going out on the range and doing the required practice and the discipline, but I love the sport.

"With tennis, it is so different. Tennis is a quick pace, reactive, receptive sport. Golf is the opposite. It is slow, you have time to think, you have control and time to analyse what you need to do," she added.