Three-time grand slam champion and Australian golden girl Ash Barty has taken a different career path with communications giant Optus.
The Queenslander won the Australian open this year before stunning the sporting world by announcing her sudden retirement aged 25. At the time Barty said that she was leaving professional tennis, while world number one, to pursue other life goals.
Barty, a talented golfer before focusing on tennis, played at St Andrews ahead of the 150th Open Championship sparking rumours of a professional change of sport. However, she has now taken on a very different job role as chief of inspiration at Australian company Optus.
The job announcement was made in a Youtube video by Optus with the company's slogan 'it starts with yes' prominent. In the video Barty says: "For me yes is more than just a word, it's a mindset.
"It's a mindset and I really do believe that saying yes and having the bravery and courage to say yes opens up so much more opportunity in your life. Inspiration for me has always been my north star, helping to inspire Aussies and encourage them to be the best version of themselves."
What exactly Barty's new job will involve is unclear and the Australian admitted that it was a courageous decision to leave professional sport to start a career in the corporate world.
"Whether it's sport or the corporate world, the most important thing is to find what makes you happy," Barty told the Herald Sun.
'"Sometimes it means that brave or courageous decision, that conscious decision to say yes (Optus's slogan), and to feel like you are making a difference."
Barty had a glittering tennis career winning the French Open in 2019, Wimbledon two years later and the Australian Open this January. After retiring from tennis Barty played in golf tournaments but said the slow pace of the game might put her off playing professionally.
"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," she said during a visit to St Andrews last month.
