Blissfully busy and content off court, Ash Barty is adamant she won’t be joining the growing band of tennis super mums back on tour – but there’s still one thing that can get her back on the court.
Fellow former Australian Open champions Naomi Osaka, Caroline Wozniacki and Angelique Kerber all made grand slam comebacks at Melbourne Park this week, among seven mothers in the 128-strong women’s draw.
But less than two years after abruptly walking away from the sport at just 25 and while a dominant world No.1, Barty insisted ‘I won’t be one of them’ when asked, again, about making a comeback.
‘I miss parts of it, but mostly I miss seeing my mates,’ the three-time major winner told AAP on Wednesday.
‘I miss seeing the girls that I’ve built such a relationship with over so many years, but a lot of my best mates have also retired now and they’re kind of moving on to their next chapters.
Ash Barty says she won’t be joining the growing band of tennis super mums back on tour – but she can still be convinced to get out on the court
Tennis fans said Barty looked like she could take out this year’s Australian Open women’s singles crown when she took to centre court with Andre Agassi on Sunday night
‘We’ll still get out there and hit occasionally if anyone asks or any of my mates ask.
‘But no, I’m enjoying what I’m doing now.’
The 27-year-old joined tennis legend Andre Agassi to unveil the trophies for the men’s and women’s singles at Rod Laver Arena ahead of Novak Djokovic’s first-round win over Dino Prižmić – and she stole the show on centre court.
The former Australian Open, Wimbledon and French Open champion dazzled as she walked onto centre court in a simple T-shirt, shorts and sneakers outfit that showed off her toned arms and legs.
Fans were quick to take to social media to praise Barty’s appearance, with several saying she looks fit enough to take to the court today.
Barty is immersed in her foundation, which she launched on Monday night in Melbourne alongside Evonne Goolagong and Pat Rafter.
But primarily the retired superstar is enjoying being a mother to six-month-old son Hayden.
‘There’s nothing keeping me away. It’s not like I’m doing things to keep myself away from the court,’ Barty said.
‘I want be able to be there to raise Hayden and I want to be able to enjoy that.
Barty (pictured with son Hayden) says she really enjoys her life as a mum too much to contemplate returning to the professional tour
Barty says there’s nothing she’d prefer to do be doing other than raising her son
‘That’s what I want to do, plain and simple. That’s where my priorities lie now.
‘I absolutely love being mum. There’s nothing else that I prefer to do.’
Proving she’s still queen of the kids, the 27-year-old was swamped by a bunch of tennis-loving children hungry for tips and a Barty Burger on Wednesday when Grill’d chipped in $100,000 to help kick-start her other new pride and joy.
The Ash Barty foundation is also consuming her, as well as denying the avid golfer the chance to further reduce her impressive three handicap.
‘I’ve played once in the last seven months,’ said the 2020 Brookwater A grade club champion.
‘The foundation is not quite fulltime but I want to be involved.
‘It was the reason I waited until I had finished playing and had retired so that I had more time to commit. It wasn’t something that I wanted to do just when I could fit it in.
The Aussie star says she misses some aspects of the game and her friends can always get her back on the court for a hit
‘My dad’s a chair, one of my sisters is on the board, which is great, and the other one, we’re in discussions every day.
‘I’m very grateful that we’ve got such an amazing team and it’s really nice to do it with people that I love and trust, and people that have the same philosophies and values.’
With a goal of inspiring, educating and providing opportunities for the next generation, Barty said launching her foundation was a dream come true.
‘To see it come to life is something I’m incredibly proud of,’ she said.
‘This almost feels like it can be more of an important contribution than hitting a tennis ball.
‘I’ve always said that tennis was what I did, it wasn’t who I am.
‘This is something that I get to do now and it’s a passion.’
