Australian tennis star and former World No 1 Ash Barty has announced the birth of her first child, Hayden.
Barty and her husband, golf professional Garry Kissick, revealed the arrival of their “beautiful boy” in a joint Instagram post on Tuesday night.
“Welcome to the world, Hayden!,” the parents posted.
Barty, a three-time grand slam champion, shocked the tennis world in 2022 by quitting the sport seven weeks after ending Australia’s 44-year singles title drought in Melbourne.
Barty announced her pregnancy in January by posting a picture of her dog, Origi, on Instagram with a pair of baby shoes.
“2023 set to be the best year yet. We are so excited for our new adventure,” Barty wrote in a caption including a baby emoji. “Origi already the protective big sister.”
Kissick also posted a photo of the baby shoes with the dog and a baby-sized Liverpool kit with the caption “Little Red, 2023” and a baby emoji.
The former Young Australian of the Year’s pregnancy was welcomed by the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, who described her as “a great credit to Australia”.
“I had the privilege of being there to watch her win the Australian Open in January of last year. Ash Barty carries herself so well and is just a great Australian and I think that all Australians will wish Ash Barty all the very very best.
Barty won the 2022 Australian Open, the 2019 French Open and Wimbledon in 2021.
Barty married Kissick in July last year, exchanging vows in a private ceremony in Queensland.
