Blunder from Charleston Open as Ashleigh Barty bizarrely appears as wildcard on Entry List prompting online clamour

Tennis fans were left puzzled during the night as Ashleigh Barty appeared on the Entry List and in promotional material for the 2025 Charleston Open which begins on Monday 31 March. But it was a mere blunder that left the tournament organisers red faced.

Barty was World No.1 for 114 successive weeks. But she retired at the age of 25 after winning her third Grand Slam title. Enjoying a stellar spell on court, the Aussie was the top player between 2019 and 2022.

But after beating Danielle Collins she called it a day. She became a mother and will do so again in the coming months. She also got married to long-time boyfriend Garry Kissick.

But while she has completely ruled out a return to the court, she has been involved still back home in Australia. This makes the Charleston Open move a mistake on the outset but one that was queried.

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Especially given she was on the top row of participants alongside Jessica Pegula. As well as Madison Keys and Zheng Qinwen who all play over the next week.

Christopher Clarey, a prominent tennis journalist set people off talking. He penned on X: “Just checked out the 2025 player field for the @CharlestonOpen. Quite a surprise. Must be an error but it did get me dreaming.”

But the tournament as a result were very quick to issue a statement. This of course denying all of the conjecture online.

“Looks like our new website got a little too excited and accidentally listed Ashleigh Barty as a wildcard recipient. We promise the only surprises moving forward will be on the court,” read the statement as they quashed any potential delight.

Barty at the time of retirement said she'd never stop loving the sport. That has shown in her retirement activities but fans still do dream of a return in the future. “I will forever be connected to tennis. I'll never stop loving the sport. I'll never stop hitting tennis balls. I just won't be doing it selfishly for me to try and you know, progress my career, it'd be for different reasons.”

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