Legendary Aussie coach says Ash Barty was ‘getting better’ just before retirement: ‘She left a few Slams on the table’
- Aussie tennis coach Wally Masur says Ash Barty retired before her career peak
- The 59-year-old coached the Davis Cup team after playing for Australia himself
- Masur believes Barty would’ve snagged many more grand slams in the future
Aussie tennis legend Wally Masur believes Ash Barty retired before the peak of her powers, with the Davis Cup coach saying she ‘left a few Slams on the table’.
Masur reached a career best world no.15 in men’s singles, where he featured in the final four at both the Australian Open and US Open in 1985 and 1993 respectively.
Australia Davis Cup captain Wally Masur talks during a press conference in Glasgow, 2015
Barty, 26, retired in March this year, having won three grand slams and rising to world no.1 with the tennis world at her feet.
The Queenslander said she had given her all in tennis and was fixed on achieving other dreams, writing children’s books while dabbling in golf.
Ash Barty takes a lap of honour with the Australian Open trophy after winning her first home soil grand slam in 2022 over American Danielle Collins
Masur said as a fan, he was disappointed Barty would no longer feature in the game.
‘She’s amazing for Australian Tennis. It’s disappointing at that level as a viewer,’ the 59-year-old told the This is your journey podcast with Sam Edmund.
‘She had such a point of difference, such a natural … she was the antithesis of the academy player.
‘I still think Ash was getting better, I think she was getting better, there was more improvement in her.
‘She left a few Slams on the table, I’ve got to say.’
Barty tired the knot with long-time partner Garry Kissick in July, retiring from professional tennis in March
While frustrated from a tennis perspective, Masur said he was pleased Barty found fulfilment outside of the sport, having just tied the knot with long-time partner Garry Kissick.
Post his playing career, the South Hampton born coach led the Davis Cup team as captain from 2001-2005 and has recently become a commentator on Stan Sport’s tennis panel.
Australia captain Wally Masur speaks with Lleyton Hewitt during a practice session in Glasgow, 2015
Masur won three singles titles, most notably the Adelaide Open in 1987, taking out American Bill Scanlon.
Masur competes for a point at the net during the 1988 Wimbledon Championships, where he made the final 16 on four occasions
The Canberran raised star notched his best career victories on the Davis Cup stage in 1990, beating world no.3 Yannick Noah and no.5 Henri Leconte in five set thrillers.
Barty recently starred in golf’s inaugural ICONS series, featuring cross code sports personalities like Ricky Ponting and Harry Kane.
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