She has rarely been spotted on a tennis court since retiring in March last year, but Australian Grand Slam champion Ash Barty wowed a group of young players as she walked to the baseline on Thursday.
The Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon winner 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, the 26-year-old icon, who she announced in January, has been close to the youngsters – but remained firm on her decision to leave the game when the topic of a potential return arose.
“I’ve said it over and over again, two cracks at tennis was more than enough,” she said.
The Australian Open, Wimbledon and French Open winner delighted First Nations youth as she returned to the court in Newcastle, NSW on Thursday
Although Barty was already several months pregnant and had an obvious baby bump, she was in touch with the kids at the start of the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival
“I am absolutely fulfilled, happy and satisfied. I have different things and different dreams and different ways that I would like to contribute to community sports.
“My sporting days are over.”
Barty announced the happy news of her pregnancy on Instagram in January, by sharing a photo of her border collie perched next to a pair of baby shoes.
“2023 should be the best year so far. 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 for a preview of the National Indigenous Carnival, which will be held August 10-13 in Darwin.
Barty is a proud Ngarigo woman and 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 in addition to her role as First Nations Ambassador to Tennis Australia
“It’s incredible to see, that’s what it’s about, it’s about trying new things for the first time.
“I’m so grateful and appreciative of my journey right now through the sport of tennis and beyond, but still being connected and able to contribute in this way is my passion, especially with First Nations youth. I love it.
“I’ve had various role models throughout my life, starting with my mother and sisters and then progressing professionally to Evonne [Goolagong Cawley] and Cathy Freeman, they are both exceptional people and great role models in terms of what they have accomplished in their field, on the court and on the track, but also their contribution after retirement which I would really like to emulate. ‘
The proud Ngarigo woman said she would love to keep up as her sporting heroes, Cathy Freeman and Evone Goolagong Cawley, continue to contribute to their sport and to Indigenous Australia after their retirement
Barty has been employed to date in 2023 thanks to her role as Chief of Inspiration at Optus, performing 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 dexterity with a racquet in hand led to speculation that she might switch to sports after retiring from court.
Barty played alongside fellow sports stars including Premier League hero Harry Kane, world champion boxer Saul Alvarez and Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting at the Golf Icons Series in New Jersey last July.
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