Ash Barty didn’t watch ANY of the Wimbledon finals this year – as she revels in retirement

Retired tennis great Ash Barty has admitted she didn’t watch the Wimbledon finals – just 12 months after hoisting the famous trophy on Centre Court.

Barty, 26, shocked the tennis world by walking away from the sport in March – and is loving her new life away from the court, labelling it ‘everything I’ve ever wanted.’

She has replaced tennis balls with plenty of time on the golf course – including St Andrews in Scotland.

The Queensland-based star was delighted to see Elena Rybakina win the women’s singles crown and fellow Aussie Nick Kyrgios progress to his maiden grand slam final – but didn’t sit down and watch either match.

‘Sorry to disappoint. But since retiring I’ve probably watched as many matches as I did when I was playing, which was slim to none. Occasionally we’ll have it on as background noise, but it’s very seldom that I’ll sit down and watch a match from start to end with any interest,’ she said.

‘I hit enough tennis balls in my life. I don’t need to see others hitting them as well.’

Barty, 26, shocked the tennis world after announcing her retirement from the sport in March (pictured, with fiance Gary Kissick)

Barty won Wimbledon in 2021, beating Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic in the final

Barty instead spent her weekend tackling the famous greens with the likes of English maverick cricketer Kevin Pietersen.

With a handicap of four, speculation continues to mount that Barty will next pursue a professional career as a golfer – talk she denies.

‘Golf is a hobby and it always will be,’ she told The Guardian. 

‘I know what it takes to get to the very top of any sport, and I don’t have the desire or want to do the work required. And to be honest, I play golf for a good time.’

Barty, who also won the French Open in 2019 and the Australian Open this year, first quit the tennis circuit in 2014 and went on to represent Brisbane Heat in the women’s Big Bash League, showing considerable promise as a batter.

She returned to the court two years later following a casual hit with good friend Casey Dellacqua – but after again calling it quits a few months ago, is comfortable with her decision.

Barty won three career grand slams and was ranked the No 1  WTA player for 114 consecutive weeks

She has since labelled her retirement a ‘seamless transition’ (pictured, at Wimbledon)

Money won’t be a drama for the rest of her life either, with Barty earning over $23million during her glittering career – and that doesn’t include sponsorship deals.

The Australian Open champion conceded she misses her mates on tour, but the move into retirement has been a ‘seamless transition.’

Last November Barty also revealed her wedding plans, with North Stradbroke island in Queensland the likely venue.

The location holds a special place in Barty’s heart, as she enjoyed several family holidays at the venue during her childhood.

Barty met her fiance Gary Kissick at Brooklands Golf Club in 2016 during a round of golf, and they have been together since.