Ash Barty
Ash Barty is a proud First Nations woman, children’s literacy advocate and author of the best-selling Little Ash book series for young readers. Passionate about empowering youth through education and sport, she continues to inspire the next generation both on and off the page.
Before turning to writing, Ash was an Australian tennis sensation who competed on the WTA tour from 2011 to 2022, with a brief break between 2014 and 2016. Known for her unique playing style and humility, she became a beloved role model around the world. Ash retired in March 2022 as World No. 1 and reigning Wimbledon and Australian Open champion. Her legacy includes three Grand Slam singles titles, a Grand Slam doubles title, and an Olympic bronze in mixed doubles. She held the No. 1 ranking for 114 consecutive weeks – the fourth-longest streak in WTA history.