Ashleigh Barty, the beloved Australian tennis player and former World No. 1 who walked away from tennis while at the top of her game, shared exciting news on Christmas day.
Barty and her husband Garry Kissick posted an adorable photo of their two-year-old son Hayden by the Christmas tree. We see the back of him as she is looking at the tree. His T-shirt reads, “I’m going to be a big brother.” Kissick added the caption: “Merry Christmas from our growing family to yours!”
Another baby is on the way for Ash Barty! 😍 pic.twitter.com/BOYmIAQYkE
— Mario Boccardi (@marioboc17) December 25, 2024
Ashleigh Barty will forever be an Australian fan favorite. In January 2022, she became the first Australian female tennis player to win the singles title at the Australian Open in 44 years.
🇦🇺 ASH BARTY 🏆
The first Australian #AusOpen singles champion in 44 years 🙌@ashbarty • #AO2022 • #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/1jWmhw7dYj
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) January 29, 2022
Since retiring from the sport suddenly in March 2022 as a three-time Grand Slam champion, Barty has lived a busy life under the radar while staying close to her family. She married Kissick in July 2022 and gave birth to Hayden in July 2023. Barty’s midwife at Hayden’s birth was her sister Sara Coppolecchia.
“I just know at the moment in my heart for me as a person, this is right.”
World No 1 Ashleigh Barty has announced her shock retirement from professional tennis at the age of 25. pic.twitter.com/LTV3QQGt8U
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 23, 2022
Barty returned to Wimbledon in 2024 as a BBC commentator, alongside fellow Aussie Nick Kyrgios. Tennis fans will see her soon as she is set to participate in a charity event, along with another Australian tennis legend Pat Rafter, at the Brisbane International tournament on December 29, 2024. Proceeds from the event will go to the Ash Barty Foundation, established in January 2024, “to inspire, educate and provide opportunities for the next generation of Australians through sport and education.”
