Ash Barty has laughed off the idea she’ll come out of retirement as a major hometown tournament returns to the tennis calendar. The Brisbane International will be back in business in 2024 and so will Ash Barty, but this time in a supporting role | @Kieran2E
"Pat Rafter may be more likely than me": Barty stands by retirement despite returning for Brisbane International announcement
Tennis NewsFriday, 15 September 2023 at 10:00
Despite Caroline Wozniacki returning and the likes of Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber also plotting their routes back into tennis, Ash Barty will not be joining them and is content in retirement.
Barty who is still only 27 won 15 WTA titles during her career including three Grand Slams and also held the World No.1 spot for 121 weeks winning more than $23.8m in prize money alone.
Eyes would have been drawn to Barty announcing the return of the Brisbane International with Pat Rafter, but it was just that and for those hoping that she would return at her home event will be disappointed.
“I don’t have the time – I don’t have the time to train, I don’t have the time to prepare, and I have so many great memories out on this court, and now I just get to create new memories,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Barty as saying.
“I’m certainly not coming out of retirement. Pat (Rafter) may be more likely than me.”
But for Barty, she remains with the want to still be involved in tennis especially back home and help support rising stars in Australia. She spoke on the difference between reaching the top and not.
“It’s depth, you have to play at your top level, you have to be consistent across a 52-week calendar to keep your ranking up with the top of the world,” she continued.
“I think it’s exciting for the women’s game, it creates hunger, passion and drive for girls wanting to be the best and knowing there’s an opportunity to take that top spot.
“There’s obviously not as many girls in the top 100 as we would like, but there’s plenty coming through that are learning their craft, developing.
“It takes time to understand how you think you can fit in, how you think you can grow into your play. I’m excited for the next five or 10 years to see where they can get to.”
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