WATCH: Wimbledon gives warm welcome to Ash Barty and her family ahead of her much-awaited doubles match

She will also sit behind the microphone as a commentator in this Wimbledon.

WATCH: Wimbledon gives warm welcome to Ash Barty and her family ahead of her much-awaited doubles match

Ash Barty with her family at Wimbledon (Images via Imago, X)

Ash Barty returned to Wimbledon to play a match! Wimbledon announced that Barty will be playing the Invitational Doubles, an exhibition event, along with her former doubles partner Casey Dellacqua.

Barty, who won the 2021 Wimbledon, shocked the tennis world when she announced her retirement the next year, just two months after lifting her third Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. Ahead of the start of this year’s event at SW19, Wimbledon shared a video on X of Barty with her family.

YouTube video

Here’s the video: 

FS Video

The 2021 Wimbledon crown made her the first player from Australia to win the title after 41 years. This season, apart from playing the Invitational Doubles along with Dellacqua, she will sit behind the microphone as a commentator. The Invitational Doubles event starts on July 9. 

I can announce that the band's back together, ABCD. That's why I love tennis because it doesn't matter at what level, I get an opportunity to play with my best mate who, yes, is an extremely good player and has won the (Wimbledon) Championships before. 
Casey Dellacqua told AO Show Weekly

Dellacqua and Barty have made it to three doubles Grand Slam finals, including the 2013 Wimbledon. And while Barty left tennis to focus on her kid, Dellacqua, 39, retired in 2018, and took up the job of reporter during Australian Open matches. In her doubles career, she has reached seven major finals after turning pro in 2002.

Ash Barty explained why she doesn’t want to return to tennis 

Ash Barty was just 25 and was World No.1 when she made the announcement of retiring from tennis. In the announcement video on her social media platforms, Barty explained the reason why she decided to take the step. She explained that though she cherished the moments of her wins in the Grand Slam, she wanted to chase another dream and didn’t have the drive to play anymore. 

Ash Barty
Ash Barty (Image via Imago) 
I don't have the physical drive and the emotional desire and the kind of everything it takes to challenge yourself at the very top of the level anymore. I think I just know I'm absolutely… I am spent. I know physically I have nothing more to give, and that, for me, that is a success. 
Ash Barty said 

Apart from the three Grand Slam titles, the 28-year-old has won a major title in doubles in the 2019 US Open along with CoCo Vandeweghe. In total, she has won 15 singles titles and 12 doubles titles on the WTA Tour.

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