“Winning Wimbledon is cool but this is so much better,” New mum Ash Barty has no regret about her early retirement amid motherhood duties

Barty admits dedication to seeing her child grow has been the best period of her life.

“Winning Wimbledon is cool but this is so much better,” New mum Ash Barty has no regret about her early retirement amid motherhood duties

Ash Barty with her nieces and her son (Image via Instagram)

Former World No.1 Ash Barty has an interesting new perspective on life. She revealed that being a mum is better than winning a Wimbledon title. The retired player, who became the first Aussie to win the French Open in 46 years, won three singles major titles before quitting in 2022.

Barty welcomed her first son Hayden with Garry Kissick in July 2023, a year after the couple wedded. She has devoted her time to training her child and finishing her children’s stories.

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During her time on the court, she became the first Australian since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1980 to win the women’s singles at Wimbledon, lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish. The year she retired, she became the first Australian in 44 years to win the Australian Open.

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Ashleigh Barty and her child
Ashleigh Barty(left) and her child (right). (credits: Screengrab/ The Australian)

During an interview with Sunrise, Barty said that motherhood is better than trophies, including her historic Wimbledon title. 

Winning Wimbledon is cool, it’s amazing. It was my dream, but this is so much better. It’s cool to see him grow and develop and learn new skills.

Barty further said:

Sometimes you’re almost thinking this has happened and you realize it is a milestone. Sometimes they happen really quick and you miss them, guilty of that, absolutely. You try and get as much as you can in photos or in footage. But I much prefer to be there in the present with him, watch him, enjoy it.

The former tennis star who retired at 26 years old also added that she doesn’t have any regrets about retiring quite early as far as she continues to enjoy her time with her family. With a quiet life following retirement, the Aussie published My Dream Time: A Memoir of Tennis & Teamwork in 2022.

Ash Barty focuses on next chapter following retirement

Barty has revealed that her next chapter following retirement is beginning a foundation, mentoring young players, and her Little Ash children’s series. She released the first series of the children’s book in 2022.

It is clear that the Aussie loves investing her time and energy in the next generation. Perhaps being a mother attracted her to that path.

Ash Barty
Ash Barty (Credits: Open Source/X)
Honestly, I love to see kids smile, and I love to see kids discover the possibilities and learn new things and have the opportunity to dream big. Now a lot of my work is centered around that, and that will always be my passion--When I was a young girl, I was so fortunate to have so many people give me that opportunity, give me their advice and their love and their expertise. I flourished in that environment and I hope that we can provide an opportunity for other kids to do that, too.
Barty told Body+Soul

Meanwhile, with the same determination that propelled her to win three major titles, Barty has now funneled to her newly launched Ash Barty Foundation. Hoping that the foundation will give young people the opportunity to succeed through sports with grants and better initiatives.

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