Ash Barty shares the joys of motherhood for the first time as she reveals how baby Hayden changed her life and explains why raising him is the hardest thing she’s ever done

Retired tennis star Ash Barty is open about motherhood, saying raising newborn son Hayden is both the best and hardest thing she’s ever done.

The 27-year-old sensationally retired from the sport at the peak of her abilities following her turning point at the Australian Open in January 2022.

In July, Barty took to social media to announce the birth of her first child with husband Garry Kissick.

“Welcome to the world, Hayden!” their message read, accompanied by a photo of the newcomer wrapped in a blanket.

Now, for the first time since Hayden’s arrival, the Australian great has revealed in a revealing interview how Hayden has changed her life.

Barty welcomed the birth of her first child with longtime partner Garry Kissick in July

“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done, and the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” Barty said News Corp.

“Hayden is amazing, I feel so lucky. Garry and I are really just enjoying some pretty quiet time together at home as a little family.”

Barty said the bond she’s formed with Hayden is “incredible.”

“Now that I’ve watched my sisters become mothers and spent so much time with their kids, I had an idea of ​​what it would feel like, but it’s definitely on another level when it’s your own child and they’re completely dependent on you! It’s pretty incredible,” Barty said.

The tennis great has always been an early riser and Barty confirms that nothing has changed since the arrival of her son.

“My hands are a bit fuller now, but my morning walk is still my favorite part of the day,” she said.

“The pack of dogs and Hayden and I all go out together and get on with the day!”

Barty went on to explain that she was just four years old when she first picked up a tennis racket – and that the sport quickly became her “first love.”

Barty says she and husband Garry are enjoying some quiet time at home with Hayden

The former world number 1 says she almost quit after winning Wimbledon in 2021

‘It was my first love, Hame; it consumed me every day – all I wanted to do was hit tennis balls.

“Dad converted our garage at home. He took some tape and taped it to the exact height of a net. I would spend hours and hours and hours in that garage, before school, after school.

“If I didn’t have class because it was raining, I was in the garage. It was just something that I became fascinated and curious about as I tried to master my craft, learning how to compete against the wall and against myself.”

Barty also revealed that she was ‘very close’ to retirement after winning Wimbledon in 2021.

“Because it was utopian and I finally did it,” Barty admitted.

“As a young kid I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great? Last game of your career, Saturday afternoon center court, the All England Lawn Tennis Club, and I’m just leaving the game at the ultimate climax’.

“There, there I was, and I thought, ‘Is this the best way to end? This is what I dreamed of.'”