Tennis legend Ash Barty cops a bitter blow as she loses her high-profile job – and Daniel Ricciardo suffers the same fate
- Grand Slam winner made shocking retirement in March 2022
- Barty then moved on to ambassadorial roles at major companies
Ash Barty has lost her job as Optus Chief of Inspiration in a bitter blow to the three-time Grand Slam tennis champion.
The 28-year-old signed with the company in September 2022, just months after she shocked the sporting world by announcing her retirement from tennis.
She described the role at the time as “inspiring the next generation, inspiring action, workplace inspiration, team motivation and playing golf” on her LinkedIn page.
The telecommunications giant has also parted ways with ex-F1 star Daniel Ricciardo, who was their Chief of Optimism.
Both stars updated their LinkedIn accounts to reflect their departures from the role, with Barty remaining in the role for just over two years.
The company’s move on Barty and Ricciardo came just before former Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin was replaced by Stephen Rue in September.
“This decision was made because we wanted to rebuild customer trust and focus on the fundamentals we know are important to them: a resilient network, high-quality products and services and simple, efficient customer service,” a spokesperson said from Optus to the newspaper. Australian Financial Statement.
In an official announcement in August 2022, Optus said that in his role, Barty will participate in employee engagement programs and community-based campaigns aimed at connecting Australians and inspiring them to say ‘yes’ to their dreams, goals and ambitions.
Ash Barty has lost one of her biggest jobs with the news she is no longer working as Optus’s Chief of Inspiration
The tennis legend (pictured during an interview to announce her role at the company in September 2022) revealed the news on her LinkedIn profile
Optus has also parted ways with former F1 star Daniel Ricciardo, who joined the company as Chief of Optimism in September 2020.
When the tennis star came on board, Rosmarin wrote: ‘Happy to announce that Ash Barty has joined us @Optus as our new Chief of Inspiration!
“We’re proud to be working with an inspiring Australian who shares our values and wants to encourage others to unlock the power of ‘yes’. Welcome to the Optus family, Ash!’
Ricciardo was appointed to his position in September 2020.
The two sports stars appeared in a bizarre video on a golf course in August to promote Barty’s new job.
Barty (pictured after winning the 2022 Australian Open) said her bizarre job title meant she was ‘inspiring the next generation and inspiring action’
Barty said at the time that she wanted to help Australians become ‘the best versions of themselves’.
“For me, inspiration has always been my north star, helping inspire Aussies and encouraging them to be the best versions of themselves – and I can’t wait to do that with Optus,” she said on the company’s YouTube channel.
Her most recent LinkedIn post about working for the company appeared six months ago and wrote: ‘Yesterday Optus celebrated their amazing people at their Sydney campus.
“I loved playing a part in these celebrations and helping recognize the award winners.”
Barty is still listed as the Women’s Tennis Association’s National Indigenous Tennis Ambassador on LinkedIn, she worked as a commentator for Stan at the Paris Olympics and she has also worked as an ambassador for Vegemite.
She has also released the Little Ash children’s book series, as well as a tennis-themed book for children, Tennis Camp Diaries.