Ash Barty announces shock sporting comeback during the Australian Open
- Ash Barty has announced her return to the sport
- But the Australian will not play tennis
- Barty will compete in a golf event in February
Retired Grand Slam champion Ash Barty is preparing for a ‘nerve-wracking’ experience as she makes her competitive sporting return to the golf course in New Zealand.
Barty, who shocked the sporting world when she announced her retirement aged 25 following her 2022 Australian Open win, has been announced as the headline act at the New Zealand Open in Queenstown in February.
The three-time grand slam singles champion, an avid golfer with a handicap of four, is shying away from any talk of a return to competitive sport after recently giving birth to her first child, Hayden, in 2023.
But after attending last year’s event as a spectator, Barty will play the pro-am portion at the Millbrook Resort in Queenstown, with former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting also in the field.
It’s not just a one-round show either, with Barty being one of 156 amateurs who will play the first three rounds with the professionals in a bid to make it to the final round and compete for their own trophy.
Ash Barty has announced her shock return to the sport
The tennis legend quit the sport she conquered to start a family
“The New Zealand Open is a fantastic event and I really enjoyed my time there this year supporting our friend Louis Dobbelaar,” said Barty.
“Having the opportunity to play in the pro-am event in 2024 is something I’m excited about, although I definitely need to start practicing! Golf has always been a passion of mine, I feel fortunate to be able to play in events such as the New Zealand Open and experience an incredible course like Millbrook.
‘I imagine the first tee shot will be quite nerve-wracking for everyone, but once the first ball hits the fairway things will hopefully calm down. My goal is to go out there and enjoy every minute of it and hopefully make the weekend pro-am.”
Barty won praise from golf legend Tiger Woods when she hit balls over the Yarra before the Presidents Cup in Melbourne in 2019.
“She has a great swing. Are you joking?’ Woods said at the time.
In 2022, Barty played more golf at the Icons Golf Series in New Jersey alongside other international sporting icons such as American swimming legend Michael Phelps, English football great Harry Kane and Ponting.
At the start of the Australian Open in Melbourne last week, Barty launched her new foundation and claimed she will not return to the tennis court.
She will participate in a golf tournament in New Zealand in February