Ashleigh Barty showed she's still very much got it on Sunday as she took part in the exhibition to kick off the Brisbane International, a tournament that runs until January 5.
Barty joined forces with the Brisbane International last week and teamed with Frances Tiafoe to face off against Ons Jabeur and Pat Rafter albeit in between, she also confirmed some big news off the court which likely stops dead any chance of a comeback.
Since she abruptly retired from the sport back in March 2022, the questioning more often than not that has surrounded her is about if she will come back. But she has often confirmed that she won't and that her career is done.
She will become a mother again in 2025 and is expecting for the second time with husband Garry Kissick. Barty though hasn't fully gone away from tennis and has maintained a presence in the sport since launching her foundation.
She presented Brisbane ballkids with their hats on Saturday and then led 4-2 alongside Tiafoe against Rafter and Jabeur.
“A bit sweatier than I’d hoped,” Barty said after the third game.
“It’s nice to be back out here, a beautiful court with good friends. It’s a good day.”
Ballkids briefly joined the action with the usual exhibition fun ensuing. “What an unbelievable cause Ash is doing, giving back to the kids,” Tiafoe said.
“It’s incredible, I’m a big fan of her and her game and what she did, what a legend. It was an honour to be a part of it today, and meet the legend Pat Rafter.”
Those there on social media remarked that despite being pregnant and off the court for some time, she still very much has it. A great start to the Brisbane International for those in attendance and a player that despite retiring nearly three years ago now is still sorely missed especially back home in Australia.
The Australian legends are back on the tennis court 😍
— Sportskeeda Tennis (@SK__Tennis) December 29, 2024
📷 Brisbane International#PatRafter #AshBarty #OnsJabeur #FrancesTiafoe #Brisbane #Tennis pic.twitter.com/xhtO4E1ojw
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
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