Ashley Barty of Australia smiles during a news conference in Brisbane on March 24, 2022, after announcing her retirement from tennis. (Photo by Patrick Hamilton / AFP)
After retiring from professional tennis, former world number one Ash Barty is set to open a new chapter in his life by publishing a series of children’s books later this year.
The Australian, who decided last month to devote time to his tennis career at the age of 25, told Newscorp that he would publish a six-book ‘Little Ash’ series based on his real-life experience and many stories based on his family.
The book will be published by HarperCollins and will hit the shelves in July.
“This project is a lot of fun and something I’ve always wanted to do,” Bertie said Sunday.
“Lucy was my North Star,” Bertie said, referring to her five-year-old niece. “She is old enough to understand stories and stories and read chapter books.
“I just love the fact that she tells me how she feels and how she feels and how she feels when she’s reading a book.
“It would be great for him to be able to read it, and reading to children in rural areas is something I really want to get my hands on.”
A second book project, a memoir of Bertie’s life and sporting journey, will be published by the same publisher in November.
“At 25 it’s not very regular that something like this happens but it’s a very exciting project,” Barty said.
“Looking back and talking about it brings me a lot of joy and heartache and pain but I think it would be a very good read.”
The three-time Grand Slam champion says he has no regrets about retiring.
“I’m very happy – I didn’t need any reassurance but I still feel reassured that I made the right decision,” he said.
“I have spent so much time with my beautiful family and my niece and nephew and you have not been able to erase the smile on my face in the last few weeks. It’s been great. “
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