Retired tennis no.1 Barty to play celebrity golf event

Ashleigh Barty, the former world number one tennis player, will compete in a golf demonstration tournament, organizers announced Tuesday, fueling rumors that she would pursue a career in golf after her surprise retirement.

When the three-time Grand Slam champion announced her retirement from tennis in March, the multi-talented 25-year-old remained tight-lipped about her ambitions.

Meanwhile, officials of the Icons Series announced that she would be one of the athletes competing in the June event in the United States.

“We’re thrilled to launch the Icons Series in America with a Mount Rushmore of the world’s best athletes, all incredible golfers, and fierce competitors,” Icons Series chief executive Thomas Brookes said in a statement.

US Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, and boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya are among other famous competitors due to take part at the Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey.

The 28 competitors will be split into Team USA, led by Fred Couples, and Team Rest of the World, led by Ernie Els.

The US tournament is the first in a series, with plans to host editions around the world including in Barty’s home of Australia.

“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, known to be a talented golfer, 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.”

Few athletes have as diverse a sporting background as the down-to-earth Barty.

She once gave up tennis to pursue a career in top-level cricket before returning to golf in September 2020 to win the Brookwater Golf Club women’s title in Brisbane.