Pregnant Aussie tennis legend Ash Barty stars in a rare return to the court for a very good cause
Ash Barty stars in rare tennis return as pregnant grand slam queen fulfills childhood dreams for charity
- Barty is a First Nations ambassador
- She describes the role as her passion
- Announced her pregnancy in January
Rarely seen on a tennis court since her shock retirement last March, Aussie grand slam champion Ash Barty thrilled a group of young players as she walked to the baseline on Thursday.
The winner of the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon made dreams come true for more than 140 Aboriginal children when she launched the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival in Newcastle, NSW.
Despite being several months pregnant, she announced in January, the 26-year-old icon was hands-on with the youngsters – but remained steadfast about her decision to leave the game when the subject of a possible return came up.
“I’ve said this over and over again, two cracks in tennis was more than enough,” she said.
The Australian Open, Wimbledon and French Open champion thrilled the First Nations youth as she returned to court in Newcastle, NSW on Thursday.
Despite being several months pregnant, she announced in January and had a clear baby bump, but Barty was hands-on with the kids at the launch of the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival
“I am absolutely fulfilled, happy and satisfied. I have different things and different dreams and different ways I would like to contribute to community sport.
“My athletic days are over.”
Barty announced the happy news of her pregnancy on Instagram in January by sharing a photo of her Border Collie sitting next to a pair of baby shoes.
2023 will be the best year yet. We are so excited for our new adventure,” she captioned the post, referring to her husband, Gary Kissick.
Her growing baby bump was visible under her hoodie at the District Park Tennis Center which was hosting a lead-up event for the National Indigenous Carnival, which will be held in Darwin from August 10-13.
Barty is a proud Ngarigo woman and is a First Nations Ambassador to Tennis Australia.
“It’s an opportunity for our kids to come together, try new things and be culturally involved,” she said of the carnival.
The Australian tennis icon said giving back to First Nations communities is her passion
Barty has had a busy start to 2023, appearing at the Australian Open and Melbourne Grand Prix alongside her role as First Nations Ambassador with Tennis Australia
“It’s incredible to watch, this is what it’s all about, it’s about trying new things for the first time.
“I have just been so grateful and thankful for my journey through tennis and beyond, but to still be connected and be able to contribute in this way, especially with First Nations youth, is my passion. I love it.
‘I’ve had several role models throughout my life, starting with my mother and my sisters, then progressing professionally to Evonne [Goolagong Cawley] and Cathy Freeman, they’re both exceptional people and great role models in a sense of what they did in their field, on the field, on the track, but also their contribution after they retired is something I’d really like to emulate . ‘
The proud Ngarigo wife said she would like to fit in with the way her sporting heroes Cathy Freeman and Evonne Goolagong Cawley continued to contribute to their sport and Indigenous Australia after their retirement.
Barty has been busy so far in 2023 thanks to her role as Chief of Inspiration at Optus, making appearances at the Australian Open and Australian Grand Prix.
She and Kissick have been together since 2016, when they met during a round on the links at Brooklands Golf Club in Queensland.
Her skill with a club in hand led to speculation that she might move from track to sport after retirement.
Barty played alongside other sports stars such as Premier League hero Harry Kane, world champion boxer Saul Alvarez and Australian cricketing legend Ricky Ponting at the Golf Icons Series in New Jersey last July.