“Was My Dream” – Ashleigh Barty Gets Real About Retirement Regrets Amid Her New Motherhood Duties

A few days back, Japanese tennis star, Naomi Osaka reflected on how motherhood has increased her zeal to work harder and perform well at tournaments for her daughter. Now, Australian former tennis player, Ash Barty reveals how she’s enjoying the challenges of motherhood and has no regrets about her early retirement. 

Barty took retirement at the age of 25. She was at the peak of her form during that time and had just won the Australian Open two months ago. She was recently spotted attending the Brisbane International with her baby boy, Hayden and also launched her foundation during the AO. The former world, no.1 has been in and around the sport throughout her career. Seeing her back in the arena makes fans wonder if she has any thoughts of back-flipping yet again.

Ash Barty says winning the Wimbledon title was her dream

Barty became the first Australian since 1980 to win the women’s singles event at the Wimbledon in 2021. During her 12-year career span, she won 15 titles including 3 Grand Slam triumphs. The tennis champion got married to professional golfer, Garry Kissick on 23 July 2022. Then on 3 July 2023, she gave birth to their child Hayden. Now that she is facing the challenges of motherhood is very challenging, what does she have to say when it’s compared with those challenges on the court?

Recently, the 27-year-old Australian gave an interview on Sunrise where she said, “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. Sometimes you’re almost thinking this has happened and you realise it is a milestone. Sometimes they happen really quick and you miss them, guilty of that, absolutely.“

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“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,” Ash Barty said. What’s more, she feels motherhood is very much different from anything she has ever experienced so far.

Barty reflects on her experience of motherhood

Tennis has witnessed several new moms stepping onto the court in the recent past and continue doing what they do best. Everyone of them has a different way of thinking and looking at things. How does Barty look at parenting from an athlete’s perspective?

“I was very lucky to be able to watch my sisters raise their two kids, so I think I was always sensitive to how hard but also how rewarding it is. But it’s a completely different ball game when it’s your own child. It’s relentless – it’s 24/7 – but it’s so rewarding and, honestly, it’s the best thing that I’ve ever done. I think it’s incomparable to being an athlete,” said Ash Barty.

But is motherhood even better than any of her trophies or the historic Australian Open win? “Without a doubt, not even a comparison. Absolutely,” she replied without any hesitation. Although she believes being a mother brings up new challenges which are much harder than her intense training sessions, she’s enjoying every bit of this challenge right now in her life.

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