Ashleigh Barty to join Pep Guardiola, Harry Kane, Michael Phelps, Oscar De La Hoya at golf exhibition event

Shahida Jacobs
April 19, 2022

The post-tennis adventures of Ashleigh Barty will continue on the fairways in New Jersey in a couple of months after the former world No 1 signed up for the Icons Series that will also feature the likes of Pep Guardiola, Harry Kane, Michael Phelps and Oscar De La Hoya.

Three-time Grand Slam winner Barty announced her shock retirement from tennis in March, saying she has fulfilled her dreams on the court and “the time is right now for me to step away and chase other dreams”.

Many speculated that the “other dreams” could be a return to cricket or taking up golf professionally.

Although the 25-year-old has laughed off speculation over her post-tennis future, she did win a ladies golf tournament in Queensland barely a fortnight after walking away from tennis.

Ashleigh Barty: Tennis, cricket, golf and now a series of children’s books for former world No 1

And she will step back on the golf course for the Icon Series exhibition tournament at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey, on June 30 and July 1.

“I’m excited to be part of the Icons Series and I hope through my participation in the series that we can encourage more women and girls to participate in golf around the world,” Barty told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“It’s such a unique opportunity to have fun, test yourself and compete against the world’s greatest athletes in a sport that we are all so passionate about.”

Barty has been selected on Ernie Els’ Rest of the World team that includes Manchester City manager Guardiola, Tottenham Hotspur and England forward Kane and Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez.

Fred Couples’ US team features swimmer Phelps, boxer De La Hoya and two-time Super Bowl champion Ben Roethlisberger.

Ashleigh Barty