It seems the former world No. 1 tennis champion has swapped her racquet for a paperback—Ashleigh “Ash” Barty recently confessed, “I love reading all books and genres… though I do seem to be reading a LOT of kids’ books at the moment!”
Since retiring from tennis in 2022, Barty has embraced new adventures off the court—one of which is championing early literacy. She’s the author of the Little Ash children’s series, published by HarperCollins, inspired by her own childhood escapades and her five-year-old niece, Lucy . These charming tales—written with Jasmin McGaughey and illustrated by Jade Goodwin—blend anecdotes of school, family life, friendships, and sporting fun, making them relatable for young readers around age five and up .
Barty’s love of reading is deeply rooted in her own experiences. She fondly recalls being captivated by the Once series by Morris Gleitzman—which she credits with igniting her lifelong reading habit .
Now, in a delightful twist, the former tennis powerhouse finds herself on the other side of the story, immersing in children’s literature as both reader and creator. Whether she’s revisiting her past through memoir-style fiction or simply enjoying a good story off-duty, Barty’s current reading habit champions the power of books to inspire wonder—no matter your age.
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