Retired grand slam champion Ash Barty is getting ready for a “nerve-wracking” expertise when she makes her aggressive sporting comeback, on the golf course in New Zealand.
Barty, who shocked the sporting world when she introduced her retirement, aged simply 25, following her Australian Open triumph in 2022, has been introduced as a headline act on the New Zealand Open in Queenstown in February.
The three-time grand slam singles champion, an avid golfer who performs off a handicap of 4, has baulked at any discuss of a return to aggressive sport having just lately given delivery to her first baby, Hayden, in 2023.
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However, after attending final yr’s occasion as a spectator, Barty goes to tee it up within the pro-am element at Queenstown’s Millbrook Resort with former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting additionally within the subject.
It’s not only a one-round present both, with Barty amongst 156-amateurs who will play the opening three rounds with the professionals in a bid to make the ultimate spherical minimize vying for their very own trophy.
“The New Zealand Open is a improbable occasion and I actually loved my time there this yr supporting our good friend Louis Dobbelaar,” stated Barty.
“Having the chance to play within the pro-am occasion in 2024 is one thing I’m enthusiastic about, although I undoubtedly want to begin practising! Golf has at all times been a ardour of mine, I really feel lucky to have the ability to play in occasions just like the New Zealand Open and expertise an unimaginable course like Millbrook.
“I think about that first tee shot in entrance of everybody can be fairly nerve-racking, however as soon as the primary ball hits the golf green, hopefully issues ought to quiet down. My purpose is to go on the market and revel in each minute of it and hopefully make the weekend pro-am minimize.”
Barty earned plaudits from golf legend Tiger Woods when she hit balls throughout the Yarra earlier than the Presidents Cup in Melbourne in 2019.
“She’s obtained a fantastic swing. Are you kidding me?” Woods stated on the time.
In 2022, Barty performed extra golf within the Icons Golf Collection in New Jersey alongside different worldwide sporting icons like American swimming legend Michael Phelps, English soccer nice Harry Kane and Ponting.
Initially of the Australian Open in Melbourne final week, Barty launched her new basis, and has maintained she gained’t be returning to the tennis courtroom.