Three-time Grand Slam winner Ash Barty shocked the tennis world when she announced her retirement from the sport at the age of just 25.
Barty's decision came shortly after she won the Australian Open, with the former world number one stating that she wanted to "chase other dreams". There has been speculation she could pursue a career in another sport, having previously played professional cricket for Queensland and Brisbane Heat during a break from tennis.
Barty is also a talented golfer, having competed in club golf tournaments and recently played at St Andrews ahead of the 150th Open Championship, where she played alongside former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen, American actress Kathryn Newton and lead singer of British ban The Vamps Brad Simpson.
And when asked if she could potentially pursue a career in golf, Barty remained coy. "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.
"It is a polar opposite, and almost a form of meditation when I was playing tennis. It is a lot of fun. It can be frustrating but I really enjoy it."
World Golf Hall of Famer Karrie Webb has previously tipped Barty to become "one of the best players in Australia". Speaking earlier this year, Webb said: "I don't see Ash wanting to do a sport where she has to travel the world, I think that's part of what she didn’t like about tennis, being away from Australia.
"I wouldn't put it past her to be Australian amateur champion one day. I can see her working on her game and being good enough to be one of the best players in Australia."
