‘Delighted’ Wimbledon reveals surprise Barty return
Ash Barty will return to the courts of Wimbledon next month, three years after her singles title triumph. Photo: Getty
Tennis champ Ash Barty will make a surprise return to play at next month’s Wimbledon – scene of one of her greatest sporting triumphs.
Barty will play in the invitation doubles at this year’s Wimbledon, which kicks off on July 1.
“Reunited with the Wimbledon grass. Delighted to have our 2021 singles champion Ash Barty returning for this year’s invitation doubles,” the tournament posted on social media on Thursday.
Barty, then 25, retired from competitive tennis after winning the Australian Open in 2022. Her shock announcement came just six months after her Wimbledon victory – meaning she never defended her grass court title in London.
Thursday’s announcement drew more than 11,000 likes in just a couple of hours.
It means Barty has twin missions at Wimbledon. She will also be in the commentary box working alongside another Australian tennis champ, Nick Kyrgios, for the BBC.
They will also be joined by fellow Aussie Pat Cash, John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, and Billie Jean King. Announcing the line-up in May, BBC content boss Charlotte Moore said “a host of Wimbledon champions will be joining the studio”.
Barty has been quizzed numerous times on a return to tennis after her sudden retirement at the peak of her game.
In Melbourne for the 2024 Australian Open in January, she again quashed any hopes of a tennis comeback.
“I miss parts of it, but mostly I miss seeing my mates,” the three-time major winner said.
“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.
“We’ll still get out there and hit occasionally if anyone asks or any of my mates ask.
“I’m enjoying what I’m doing now.”
Barty is immersed in her charitable foundation, and is enjoying being a mother to her almost-one-year-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 back in January.
“I want be able to be there to raise Hayden and I want to be able to enjoy that.
“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.”
Wimbledon’s invitational doubles tournament is played as a round-robin with eight pairs spread across two groups. The two top-placed teams go on to play the final.
It is unclear who will be Barty’s partner at the All England Club next month.
Playing less tennis has also given Barty more time to concentrate on another sport she loves – golf. Her husband, Garry Kissick, is a professional golfer.
Wimbledon 2024 runs from July 1 to 14.
