Former World No.1 Ashleigh Barty becomes a mother, gives birth to baby boy Hayden

Ashleigh Barty is officially a mother giving birth to a baby boy Hayden as announced on Tuesday morning (4 July) on both her and husband Garry Kissick's Instagram accounts.

Barty was the World No.1 for 121 weeks and a three-time Grand Slam singles champion stepping away from the sport in a shock retirement back in March 2022.

She said she had lost the burning desire at the time but has been part of calls like Serena Williams to return to the sport or even take up another sport.

"I don't have the physical drive, the emotional want and everything it takes to challenge yourself at the very top of the level any more. I am spent," she said to Casey Dellacqua at the time.

But those calls have been quelled after she confirmed in January this year that she was pregnant with her first child stepping back onto the court with a baby bump during Australian Open festivities.

This was long time boyfriend Kissick who is a professional golfer. They met back in 2016 and got married nearly this time last year.

Writing on social media, she said: "Our beautiful boy, welcome to the world Hayden!"

Congratulations to Ash, Garry and the rest of her family on this news.