“Don’t be surprised if we see her walk down the fairway of an LPGA event"- Rennae Stubbs on Ashleigh Barty's post-retirement plans

In a recent interview with Tennis365, Rennae Stubbs said she "wouldn't be surprised" to see Ashleigh Barty take up golf in the future

Rennae Stubbs also hinted that there is a high chance that the three-time Grand Slam winner might even pick Australian rules football as her next career option and find a place in one of the AFLW (Australian Football League for Women) teams.

“Don’t be surprised if we see her walk down the fairway of an LPGA event. We know she can play cricket, we know that she’s basically a scratch golfer … she can kick a footy and can probably walk on for an AFLW team," said Stubbs.

Barty announced her retirement at the age of 25 on Wednesday, sending shockwaves through the tennis fraternity. The Australian became the first player since Justine Henin in 2008 to hang up her rackets as the World No. 1.

Keeping in mind her previous stint with cricket, when she played for the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League, Stubbs stated that Barty can try her hand at other sports, including golf and football.

Stubbs feels Barty is capable of achieving whatever she sets her mind to since she is both "young and smart."

“I think she’s got a few things up her sleeve that she wants to achieve. And she’s young enough and smart enough [to make the change]," added the former doubles World No. 1 player.

"She’d be an absolute star at playing AFL"- Richmond Tigers' coach Damien Hardwick on Ashleigh Barty

Damien Hardwick during a training session

Barty is a huge fan of the Australian rules football team Richmond Tigers. In another interview, the team's coach, Damien Hardwick, stated that it would be "good to see Barty play" in the AFL and believes that she would be an "absolute star" in the league.

He further stressed that he would love to see her play for the Richmond Tigers, and the team's fans would also enjoy the same.

“It would be good for actually to see her play because she’s just, whatever she turns her hand to, she does very well at, so I assume, from my point of view, she’d be an absolute star at playing AFL. I’d love to see her in Tiger colours, and I’m sure the Richmond faithful would as well," said Hardwick.

Either Iga Swiatek or Paula Badosa are expected to become the new World No. 1 after Ashleigh Barty's retirement from the sport.