The current tennis storyline is as follows: On the ATP side, players like Nick Kyrgios have made headlines for his comeback to the court after a hiatus due to his knee injury. While, Novak Djokovic is setting the bar high as he returns to the court with Andy Murray as his coach. And despite stepping off the court back in March 2022, former Australian player Ashleigh Barty, still has some unfinished business.

But after leaving with her resume of three Grand Slams and 15 singles titles, the former 2019 World No.1 is still proving that she’s very much into the sport as much as she was when she was a contender on the court. Barty is making waves through her Ash Barty Foundation(established in January 2024), gearing up for a charity showcase at the Brisbane International alongside Pat Rafter and top WTA and ATP players. The showcase, which will be held on Sunday 29 December will officially launch the Brisbane International Family Fun Day.

Barty will also serve as the Brisbane International Ballkids Ambassador. She plans to present the ballkids with hats featuring her foundation’s logo, showcasing her dedication to inspiring young Australians. “I’m grateful to the Brisbane International team for providing me with an opportunity to raise awareness for the Ash Barty Foundation and to engage with young Australians throughout the tournament,” she shared to Tennis.com.

“I have been fortunate in terms of my journey, but not all kids have that same experience,” she added. Reflecting on her career, Barty leaves behind an impressive legacy. The three-time Grand Slam champion boasts 15 singles and 12 doubles titles, including victories at the 2019 French Open, 2021 Wimbledon, and 2022 Australian Open.

Despite being away from competitive play for over two years, she takes immense pride in her foundation’s accomplishments. The Ash Barty Foundation has donated over 16,000 books to libraries nationwide and supported various educational initiatives. Living up to her words, “The Ash Barty Foundation’s goal is to provide more opportunities for boys and girls to discover what they love to do and to give them the ability to follow their dreams.”

Brisbane International Tournament Director Cameron Pearson is thrilled to have Ash Barty involved in the event again. “Ash has had such a huge impact in Australia and worldwide through her sporting achievements and on top of that she is a Queensland local and adored by all,” Pearson said.

“We are proud to have Ash as the Ambassador for the Brisbane International ballkids, and to also partner with Ash Barty Foundation for the Family Fun Day. Having Ash and Pat Rafter on court together will be a great spectacular for all tennis and sporting fans and great way to launch our Family Fun Day.”

While she thrives off the court through humanitarian efforts, questions linger about a potential return to competitive play.

Earlier this year, Barty mentioned that her husband Garry Kissick’s indifference toward tennis helped her realize she was ready for retirement. Will she return to the sport anytime soon?

A look into Barty’s mindset about coming back to tennis

In March 2022, Australian tennis star Ashleigh Barty stunned fans with her retirement announcement. Just two months after winning the Australian Open, she took to social media to share her decision, expressing that she felt fulfilled in her career. “I achieved my dreams. Everyone has different dreams and different ways of defining success,” Barty stated. She wanted to focus on her personal life, particularly influenced by her husband, Garry Kissick.

Barty and Kissick met in 2016 and married six years later. Despite being an athlete himself, Kissick was not particularly fond of tennis. In a January 2024 interview with Vogue, Barty shared how he “didn’t know a lot about tennis” when they met. This dynamic allowed her to step away from the sport while still enjoying life outside of it. “I’ll never, ever, ever stop loving tennis. It’ll always be a massive part of my life,” she said.

Fast forward to July 2024, and speculation about Barty’s potential return to tennis has surfaced.

She received an invitation to participate in the legends event at Wimbledon, marking her first appearance on court since early 2022. “No this is the comeback, this is the only comeback,” she clarified to Channel 9. Barty emphasized that she would only participate for fun and enjoyment, adding, “They are there obviously to watch the best players in the world… but I am excited to play a very small part in it.”

As excitement builds for the upcoming Australian Open in 2025, the anticipation is high to see the beloved WTA legend back. Barty’s return brings a wave of nostalgia and joy for those who cherished her remarkable career. What are your thoughts on this exciting development? Share them in the comments below!