Ash Barty reveals what has surprised her the most about her shock retirement from tennis

Former world No. 1 Ash Barty has revealed what has surprised her most about life since retiring from tennis, and her plans to stay involved in the game – just not on the court.

The 26-year-old sensationally quit the sport at the peak of her powers following her watershed Australian Open win last January and has rejected all suggestions that she might return to professional sport in the future.

The 26-year-old sensationally quit the sport at the peak of her powers following her watershed Australian Open championship last January and has rejected all suggestions that she might return to professional sport in the future

Unlike a lot of former professional athletes, Barty has absolutely no regrets about her decision to retire, saying she has been ‘surprised’ by how comfortable she is now.

‘To be honest, I think what has surprised me most is how comfortable I’ve been,’ she told the New York Times.

‘I think there was probably a normal fear or uncertainty in not knowing what my life would look like after tennis after being so focused.’

Unlike a lot of former professional athletes, Barty (pictured after winning the Australian Open) has absolutely no regrets about her decision to retire, saying she has been ‘surprised’ by how comfortable she is now.

‘I was a bit unsure how I would deal with that because I am a person who likes to be organised. There was probably a little bit of fear in that, but overall, that hasn’t been an issue, a concern or a worry.

‘What’s been surprising in a good way is that I’ve slipped quite seamlessly into this life that’s just like everyone else. Which is kind of always what I wanted.’

While Barty has not been active on the tennis tour, it has been a busy year for the former tennis star.

She married longtime partner Garry Kissick, released her memoir My Dream Time and also launched her Little Ash range of children’s books with Jasmin McGaughey and Jade Goodwin.

Barty married longtime partner Garry Kissick, released her memoir My Dream Time and also launched her Little Ash range of children’s books with Jasmin McGaughey and Jade Goodwin

Barty will stay involved with tennis by starting up an elite academy in Australia with Jason Stoltenberg and Craig Tizzer, and says she’s interested in mentoring but not coaching junior players.

‘The more time I’ve had to sit and think and absorb this year, I think it is never in the sense of me competing professionally again,’ she said.

‘But I’ll never not be involved in the sport. So I think that’s where I’ll always get my tennis fix, that taste of the sport that gave me so much.’