Ashleigh Barty refused to give too much away when asked about her future plans, saying "you'll have to wait and see" after the world No 1 announced her shock retirement from tennis.
The three-time Grand Slam champion stunned the tennis world on Wednesday by saying she was hanging up her racquet, just weeks after becoming the first Australian in 44 years to win the Australian Open.
"I know the time is now right for me to step away and chase other dreams," Barty said in an emotional video interview with close friend and former doubles partner Casey Dellacqua.
However, what those "other dreams" might be, Barty decided not to go into detail when asked by media on Thursday.
"You'll have to wait and see, I'm not giving you everything right now. It's alright, you can be patient. Patience is a virtue," she told reporters in Brisbane. "We'll see."
Barty, 25, previously walked away from tennis to play in cricket's Big Bash League, with local media speculating a return to the crease could be on the cards, or even becoming a professional golfer or playing Australian Rules.
"I have seen some brilliant photoshops as a jockey, lawn bowls," Barty said. "I love sport, I'm a sport nut like a lot of Australians are. I'll be lured to it. I have always been an athlete in the sense of trying different things, but we'll see how we go."
She did confirm she wanted to work more with Indigenous Australians and spend time with her mum and dad, calling herself "a homebody".
"I have always wanted to have the time to contribute more in other ways," Barty said. "And I think now I have got that opportunity and I've been fortunate enough to have so many opportunities given to me from tennis, and now I'm ready to really give back in ways that I'm passionate about."
Marriage is on the horizon to long-term boyfriend Garry Kissick. A date has been set, but Barty would not say when.
In a social media message on Wednesday, Barty said achieving her life-time dream of winning Wimbledon last year changed her perspective and sparked retirement thoughts. But her coach Craig Tyzzer admitted she had been thinking about it as far back as her breakthrough Grand Slam success at the French Open in 2019.
"The first thing she said to me was, 'Can I retire now?'. I sort of went, 'Hang on, I'm not ready for that,'" he said alongside Barty.
"It's not a shock to me. Ash does her own thing and when we started together she wanted to do it the way she wanted to do it. I think it's the right time."
Barty, Borg, Hingis and other tennis stars who retired early
-
Ashleigh Barty: The Australian announced her retirement at the age of 25 having spent 119 weeks as the world No 1 and after winning three Grand Slam titles. Barty won 15 singles titles and 12 doubles titles, including three Grand Slams, the last of which ended Australia's 44-year wait for a home-grown Australian Open champion. All photos: Getty Images -
Jennifer Capriati: The American was a teenage phenomenon, breaking into the top 10 at just 14 years old. Capriati went on to win three Grand Slam titles and reached the top ranking in 2001. After being plagued with injuries, Capriati retired at the age of 28 after 14 singles titles. -
Justine Henin: One of the greats of the modern era, Henin spent a total of 117 weeks as world No 1 and captured seven Grand Slam titles. She twice missed out on completing the set having reached two Wimbledon finals. Henin first retired in 2008 at the age of 25 before making a comeback, although injuries forced a second early retirement in 2011 when she was 28. -
Martina Hingis: Few players in tennis history have burst onto the scene and dominated quite as quickly as Hingis. The Swiss won all five of her singles Grand Slam titles before turning 20 and spent 209 weeks as the world No 1. Hingis was only 22 when she announced her first retirement in 2003 and after returning to the tour, retired again in 2007 at the age of 27 after failing a drug test. Hingis returned in 2013 as a doubles specialist and would add another 10 major titles to her collection. In all, she won 25 Grand Slams across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. -
Bjorn Borg: The most dominant male player of the 1970s and early 80s, Borg won 11 Grand Slam titles (six at the French Open, the other five at Wimbledon) and became the biggest tennis star of his generation. He could, perhaps should, have won a lot more but the Swede hung up his racquet at the age of 26. -
Marion Bartoli: The former world No 7 became a Grand Slam champion at Wimbledon in 2013, and the following month announced her retirement at the age of 28, citing mounting injury problems. -
Andrea Jaeger: A classic case of what might have been - Jaeger reached a career high No 2 in the world rankings and made the finals of the French Open and Wimbledon (plus the semi-finals of the Australian and US Opens). However, her career was cut short by a shoulder injury and the American was forced to retire at 19 years old. -
Mario Ancic: The Croatian was one of the most exciting talents to emerge in the men's game and reached a career-high No 7 in the rankings. Ancic's best Grand Slam performance came at Wimbledon in 2004 when he reached the semi-finals but he was forced to retire at 26 years old after struggling to overcome a severe bout of glandular fever. -
Marat Safin: One of the biggest male tennis stars at the turn of the century, Safin won two Grand Slam titles and reached the top of the rankings. A player of immeasurable talent, the Russian was known as much for his party lifestyle as his tennis and decided to walk away from the game at 29. -
Rene Lacoste: One of the most iconic players in history, Lacoste burned bright in the 1920s, winning seven Grand Slams and two Davis Cup titles in a four-year stretch. The Frenchman retired at the age of 24 due to health problems and would go on to create the Lacoste clothing brand. -
Guillermo Coria: Perhaps best known for throwing away a two-set lead in the 2004 French Open final when the overwhelming favourite, Coria achieved much more in the game and reached No 3 in the rankings. After a career that included a doping suspension, the yips, and nine titles, the Chilean walked away in 2009 at 27 years old. -
Ana Ivanovic: The Serb reached the pinnacle of tennis and spent a total of 12 weeks as world No 1, with her lone Grand Slam title coming at the 2008 French Open. Ivanovic called time on her career in December 2016 at the age of 29, citing health setbacks as the main reason. -
Caroline Wozniacki: The Dane was one of the most successful players of her era, winning 30 singles titles and spending 71 weeks as the world No 1. She ended her wait for a major title by winning the 2018 Australian Open. Wozniacki retired soon after the start of the 2020 season at the age of 29, stating she wanted to focus on starting a family and working to raise awareness about rheumatoid arthritis - which she herself suffers from. -
Robin Soderling: Famous for being the first player to beat Rafael Nadal at the French Open, Soderling reached a career-high No 4 and twice made the Roland Garros final. The Swede was forced to retire at 26 years old after battling glandular fever for four years. Pawan Singh / The National
Barty's announcement triggered an outpouring of tributes from across the tennis world. Former world No 1 and 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams posted on Twitter: "I can’t lie I was sad to read your decision but also happy for your new chapter. Always your fan close up and afar. Sending all my love."
Two-time major winner Simona Halep posted: "Ash, what can I say, you know I have tears right? My friend, I will miss you on tour. You were different, and special, and we shared some amazing moments. What's next for you? Grand Slam champion in golf?!"
Meanwhile, Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur posted a photo of her with Barty from when they won a juniors doubles title together with the caption: "You are a true inspiration. You will be missed on tour. A true legend I wish you all the best for what’s coming next."
And former men's world No 1, and fellow three-time Grand Slam champion, Andy Murray wrote: "Happy for @ashbarty, gutted for tennis. What a player."
