Ash Barty says there’s one thing that will get her back onto the tennis court – after fans said she looks fit enough to win the Australian Open this year
Blissfully busy and content off the court, Ash Barty is confident she won’t join the growing group of tennis supermoms back on tour – but there’s still one thing that could 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 he abruptly left the sport at the age of 25 and despite being a dominant world No. 1, Barty insisted: ‘I won’t be one of them’ when asked again if he would make a comeback wanted to make.
“I miss parts of it, but most of all I miss seeing my friends,” the three-time major winner told AAP on Wednesday.
“I miss seeing the girls I’ve built such relationships with over so many years, but a lot of my best friends are also retired now and they’re kind of moving on to their next chapter.
Ash Barty says she won’t join the growing group of tennis supermoms back on tour, but she can still be convinced to take the court
![Ash Barty says there's one thing that will get her back onto the tennis court - after fans said she looks fit enough to win the Australian Open this year 2 Tennis fans said Barty looked like she could win this year's Australian Open women's singles title as she took center court with Andre Agassi on Sunday evening](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Ash-Barty-says-theres-one-thing-that-will-get-her.jpeg)
Tennis fans said Barty looked like she could win this year’s Australian Open women’s singles title as she took center court with Andre Agassi on Sunday evening
“We still go out and hit it up every now and then if someone asks or if one of my friends asks.
“But no, I enjoy what I’m doing now.”
The 27-year-old joined tennis legend Andre Agassi to unveil the men’s and women’s singles trophies at Rod Laver Arena ahead of Novak Djokovic’s first round victory over Dino Prižmić – and they stole the show at the center court.
The former Australian Open, Wimbledon and French Open champion dazzled as she walked onto center court in a simple T-shirt, shorts and sneakers outfit that showed off her toned arms and legs.
Fans were quick to praise Barty’s appearance on social media, with several saying she looks fit enough to appear in court today.
Barty delves into her foundation, which she launched with Evonne Goolagong and Pat Rafter in Melbourne on Monday evening.
But the retired superstar is especially enjoying being a mother to six-month-old son Hayden.
‘Nothing stops me. It’s not like I do things to keep myself away from the court,” Barty said.
‘I want to be able to be there to raise Hayden and I want to enjoy that.
![Ash Barty says there's one thing that will get her back onto the tennis court - after fans said she looks fit enough to win the Australian Open this year 4 Barty (pictured with son Hayden) says she's enjoying her life as a mother too much to consider returning to the professional tour](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1705470316_666_Ash-Barty-says-theres-one-thing-that-will-get-her.jpeg)
Barty (pictured with son Hayden) says she’s enjoying her life as a mother too much to consider returning to the professional tour
![Ash Barty says there's one thing that will get her back onto the tennis court - after fans said she looks fit enough to win the Australian Open this year 6 Barty says she wouldn't want to do anything other than raise her son](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1705470319_589_Ash-Barty-says-theres-one-thing-that-will-get-her.jpeg)
Barty says she wouldn’t want to do anything other than raise her son
‘That’s what I want to do, very simple. That’s where my priorities lie now.
‘I love being a mother. There’s nothing else I’d rather do.’
Proving she’s still the queen of the kids, the 27-year-old was swarmed by a pack of tennis-loving kids hungry for tips and a Barty Burger on Wednesday as Grill chipped in $100,000 to boost its other new pride. joy.
The Ash Barty foundation is also consuming her, denying the avid golfer the opportunity to further reduce her impressive handicap of three.
“I’ve played once in the last seven months,” said the 2020 Brookwater A-grade club champion.
‘The foundation is not yet full-time, but I do want to be involved.
“It was the reason I waited until I was done playing and retired so I had more time to commit. It wasn’t something I wanted to do at the time it fit.
![Ash Barty says there's one thing that will get her back onto the tennis court - after fans said she looks fit enough to win the Australian Open this year 8 The Australian star says she misses some aspects of the game and her friends can always get her back on the field for a hit](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1705470322_876_Ash-Barty-says-theres-one-thing-that-will-get-her.jpeg)
The Australian star says she misses some aspects of the game and her friends can always get her back on the field for a hit
‘My father is chairman, one of my sisters is on the board, which is nice, and we meet with the other one every day.
“I’m very grateful that we have such a great team and it’s really fun to do this with people I love and trust, and people who have the same philosophies and values.”
With the aim of inspiring, educating and providing opportunities for the next generation, Barty said launching her foundation was a dream come true.
“Seeing it come to life is something I’m incredibly proud of,” she said.
‘This almost feels like it could make a more important contribution than hitting a tennis ball.
‘I always said tennis was what I did, not who I am.
“This is something I get to do now and it’s a passion.”