Retired WTA star Ashleigh Barty has parted ways with Australian telecommunications giant Optus, with 2025 Australian Open only a few weeks away.

Barty shocked the tennis world when she announced her retirement at age 25 after winning the Australian Open in 2022. The Queensland native began working with Optus in September of that year, when she was announced as the company’s Chief of Inspiration.

Changes in Optus management could have played a role in Barty’s departure

The former World No.1 took the job in 2022, when Optus was under the helm of former CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin.

“Ash is a true Australian icon and role model – her performance on the courts epitomized a challenger spirit, determination and strength, while her community work has demonstrated the power of optimism in action,” said Rosmarin at the time of Barty’s appointment in 2022.

However, Bayer Rosmarin was replaced by Stephen Rue in September 2024. Subsequently, Barty was let go, alongside Daniel Ricciardo, who was appointed as Chief of Optimism in 2020.

“The decision was taken as we looked to rebuild customer trust and focus on the fundamentals that we know are important to them – a resilient network, great value products and services, and simple, efficient customer service,” said an Optus spokesperson to the Australian Financial Review following Barty’s departure.