Following the retirement of Australian world No.1 tennis player Ash Barty at 25, here's a look at other high-profile sports stars and what they did after calling time on their careers at a young age when still at the top of their game.
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KIM CLIJSTERS (TENNIS)
U.S. Open champion in 2005, Clijsters retired in 2007 at the age of 23 but returned after a two-year hiatus to claim another three grand slam titles. She made her second comeback in 2020 at the age of 36.
While Clijsters was retired, she served as a part-time coach to several players and worked as a commentator at grand slam tournaments.
JUSTINE HENIN (TENNIS)
Henin retired in 2008 at 25 as world No.1 and with seven grand slam titles and an Olympic gold medal to her name. But inspired by fellow Belgian Clijsters' comeback, Henin also came out of retirement in 2010, before retiring again the following year.
Henin made appearances on Belgian reality shows in 2009 but did not stray too far from the sport, heading up a tennis academy under her name alongside former coach Carlos Rodriguez.
BJORN BORG (TENNIS)
Swedish great Borg retired from tennis at the age of 26 in 1983, having won 11 majors, which included five consecutive Wimbledon titles.
Borg attempted a comeback in 1991 but failed to win a single match, retiring again in 1993, but he's still seen as one of the all-time greats.
GABRIELA SABATINI (TENNIS)
Argentina's Sabatini retired aged 26 due to a stomach injury, having won one major title at the US Open in 1990.
Sabatini received the International Tennis Federation's Philippe Chatrier Award in recognition of her tennis career and charity work following her retirement.
MICHAEL JORDAN (BASKETBALL)
After winning three successive NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls, basketball great Jordan abruptly announced his retirement in 1993 at the age of 30.
Jordan played minor league baseball before returning to the Bulls, helping them win three straight titles from 1996 to 1998 and retiring again. He returned to the court in 2001 for two more seasons with the Washington Wizards.
Jordan owns the Charlotte Hornets and Nascar Cup Series team 23XI Racing.
NICO ROSBERG (MOTOR RACING)
Rosberg retired from Formula One aged 31, days after winning the world championship in 2016, beating his Mercedes tea mate Lewis Hamilton to clinch his only world crown.
Rosberg is now a television pundit and promotes green technology and sustainability as an eco-entrepreneur. He is an investor in the Formula E championship and a team owner in the off-road electric Extreme E series.
Australian Associated Press
