World number one Ashleigh Barty told people to “wait and see” about her next move following her shock retirement at the age of 25.
The Australian three-time Grand Slam champion said she had “given everything” to tennis.
Barty did not rule out trying another sport but said she was more keen to “give back” to the community.
“I have always wanted to have the time to contribute more in other ways and now I have that opportunity,” she said.
“That is what lights me up inside.”
Barty said she was particularly excited to help provide fellow Indigenous Australians with “more opportunity to get into the sport” from a young age.
A talented all-round sportswoman, she played in the first season of cricket’s Women’s Big Bash League in 2015-16 after taking a break from tennis in 2014.
Asked about reports she could take up golf or Australian Rules football, she said: “I have always been an athlete in terms of trying different things, so we’ll see how we go.”
Barty won the French Open in 2019 and Wimbledon in 2021 then in January this year became the first home player to win the Australian Open men’s or women’s singles title in 44 years.
On Thursday Barty said she had started thinking about retirement after her Wimbledon triumph.
She revealed she last picked up a racquet about 10 days ago, but that an injury after the Australian Open had taken longer to heal than she had hoped.
Barty said she had been “spoiled” by many messages of support from other players since her announcement on Wednesday.
She also confirmed she has set a wedding date with fiance Gary Kissik, but did not give further details.
Coach Craig Tyzzer said Barty’s decision was “not a shock for me”.
“Ash does her own thing. I think it is the right time,” he said. “She won the Aussie Open for everyone and I don’t think there’s anything left in the tank for her.”
He said it was at the Olympics in Tokyo – which followed Barty’s Wimbledon win – that “the motivation wasn’t really there”.