Children’s books, Barty’s next calling

After retiring from professional tennis, former World No. 1 Ash Barty said she is planning to release of a series of children’s books later this year.

The Australian, who decided to call time on her tennis career at the age of 25, said she will release a six-book ‘Little Ash’ series, with many stories based on her real-life experiences and her family.

The book will be published by Harpercollins and begin to hit shelves in July.

“This project has been so much fun and something I have always wanted to do,”

Barty said.

A second book project, a memoir of Barty’s life and sporting journey, will be released by the same publisher in November.

“At 25, it’s not superregular that something like this happens but it is a very exciting project,” Barty said.

“Looking back and talking about it has brought me so much joy and heartache and pain but I think it will be a very good read.”