Ashleigh Barty set for sporting comeback...but on a golf course, signs up for New Zealand Open in February

Ashleigh Barty is set for a sporting comeback, albeit it won't be on a tennis court as she continues her retirement from the sport with the multiple Grand Slam champion and former World No.1 set to turn her attention to the golf course once more.

Barty who shocked the sporting world by announcing her retirement aged just 25 following her Australian Open triumph back in 2022 will play the New Zealand Open in Queenstown in February. A dab hand on the golf course, she plays off a handicap of four and won a golf tournament just days after retiring back in 2022. She will play in the same field as Ricky Ponting in the Pro-Am as well as playing the opening three rounds with the pros in a bid to make the final cut.
So while tennis is in the past, Barty continues to get that sporting buzz from another source as she will join 156 amateurs in attempting to beat the professionals and who could bet against her given her previous pedigree in the sport and being in a competitive environment.

“The New Zealand Open is a fantastic event and I really enjoyed my time there this year supporting our friend Louis Dobbelaar,” said Barty.
"Having the opportunity to play in the pro-am event in 2024 is something I’m excited about, though I definitely need to start practicing! Golf has always been a passion of mine, I feel fortunate to be able to play in events like the New Zealand Open and experience an incredible course like Millbrook.
“I imagine that first tee shot in front of everyone will be quite nerve-racking, but once the first ball hits the fairway, hopefully things should settle down. My aim is to go out there and enjoy every minute of it and hopefully make the weekend pro-am cut.”