Is Ash Barty making a comeback? Cryptic social media post raises questions among fans!
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Let's be honest: In Australia, tennis is still an underrated sport—at least, relative to footy or rugby.
But the sport is still alive and well in the hearts and minds of many Aussies—especially when Ashleigh Barty, the former World No. 1 player, shared a cryptic post that some suspect could hint at her comeback.
As many of you might recall, Ash (as she’s fondly known) made history in 2021 by becoming the first-ever Australian player to win the Wimbledon Women's Singles title since 1980.
In March 2022, she announced her retirement from the sport, saying: ‘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.’
But her recent post has sparked interest among her fans and raised speculation that the athlete is coming out of her retirement.
Her most recent post featured her gently hitting balls served up by some kids—all while clad in a cap with the Wimbledon logo.
You can watch the video she posted here:
'Come out of retirement, please,' commented one fan, while another said, 'We need you back on tour.’
‘Can’t wait to see all the news headlines after this video: “Barty set to return after having baby”,’ another person wrote.
Personalities and pros of the sport, like former doubles great Pat Shriver, weren't immune to the excitement either. Pat voiced a question about the video.
‘It’s interesting that she chose to post the video,’ Pat said.
‘It’s kind of like, does that send a message, now that all these peers who were playing the tour at the same time as her are coming back?’ she asked.
Former World No.1 players like Caroline Wozniacki, Naomi Osaka, and former No. 3 Victoria Azarenka have returned to the court after having children.
Justine Henin, another former World No. 1, also retired while being a top-ranked player in tennis but made a brief return after retiring.
Others, like former Brisbane Heat teammate Jess Jonassen, remarked about the photo of Ash’s son: ‘That little racquet.’ while Wozniacki commented: ‘So cute!️’
It was not confirmed whether Ash is gearing up to return to the court, but we wish her all the best in whatever she chooses.
While training for the sport since she was five, Ash Barty only embarked on her professional career early in 2010. At just 15 years old, she won hearts and tournaments worldwide and claimed the prestigious Wimbledon Junior title a mere year later.
Even though she briefly swapped her racquet for a cricket bat in 2014—a little detour into the Women's Big Bash League cricket—she returned to tennis in 2016, convinced it deserved another try.
Luck, it turned out, was smiling down on her and Aussie tennis as she entered the top 20 rankings in 2017.
2019, a noteworthy year for Ash, got her into the worldwide spotlight. She won the French Open Singles title and climbed to the World No. 1 ranking, much to the joy of her Aussie fans.
However, the best part was winning at Wimbledon in 2021—the first Australian woman to clinch the title since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1980.
In total, Ash collected a whopping 11 Singles and 11 Doubles titles on the World Tennis Association (WTA) tour.
Her career was a kaleidoscope of important victories, with memorable tennis moments, jaw-dropping shots and resounding victory choruses. We're waiting to see if she'll add more glory to this impressive tally.
What do you think of this story, members? Are you a fan of Ash Barty? Let us know in the comments below!
But the sport is still alive and well in the hearts and minds of many Aussies—especially when Ashleigh Barty, the former World No. 1 player, shared a cryptic post that some suspect could hint at her comeback.
As many of you might recall, Ash (as she’s fondly known) made history in 2021 by becoming the first-ever Australian player to win the Wimbledon Women's Singles title since 1980.
In March 2022, she announced her retirement from the sport, saying: ‘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.’
But her recent post has sparked interest among her fans and raised speculation that the athlete is coming out of her retirement.
Ashleigh Barty posted on social media, raising speculation that she’ll be back in the sport. Credit: @ashbarty/Instagram
Her most recent post featured her gently hitting balls served up by some kids—all while clad in a cap with the Wimbledon logo.
It was a simple caption, but it excited many tennis fans: 'Back to red ball. Coaches seemed happy enough. Spectator just enjoyed a snooze in the shade.'You can watch the video she posted here:
'Come out of retirement, please,' commented one fan, while another said, 'We need you back on tour.’
‘Can’t wait to see all the news headlines after this video: “Barty set to return after having baby”,’ another person wrote.
Personalities and pros of the sport, like former doubles great Pat Shriver, weren't immune to the excitement either. Pat voiced a question about the video.
‘It’s interesting that she chose to post the video,’ Pat said.
‘It’s kind of like, does that send a message, now that all these peers who were playing the tour at the same time as her are coming back?’ she asked.
Former World No.1 players like Caroline Wozniacki, Naomi Osaka, and former No. 3 Victoria Azarenka have returned to the court after having children.
Justine Henin, another former World No. 1, also retired while being a top-ranked player in tennis but made a brief return after retiring.
Others, like former Brisbane Heat teammate Jess Jonassen, remarked about the photo of Ash’s son: ‘That little racquet.’ while Wozniacki commented: ‘So cute!️’
It was not confirmed whether Ash is gearing up to return to the court, but we wish her all the best in whatever she chooses.
While training for the sport since she was five, Ash Barty only embarked on her professional career early in 2010. At just 15 years old, she won hearts and tournaments worldwide and claimed the prestigious Wimbledon Junior title a mere year later.
Even though she briefly swapped her racquet for a cricket bat in 2014—a little detour into the Women's Big Bash League cricket—she returned to tennis in 2016, convinced it deserved another try.
Luck, it turned out, was smiling down on her and Aussie tennis as she entered the top 20 rankings in 2017.
2019, a noteworthy year for Ash, got her into the worldwide spotlight. She won the French Open Singles title and climbed to the World No. 1 ranking, much to the joy of her Aussie fans.
However, the best part was winning at Wimbledon in 2021—the first Australian woman to clinch the title since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1980.
In total, Ash collected a whopping 11 Singles and 11 Doubles titles on the World Tennis Association (WTA) tour.
Her career was a kaleidoscope of important victories, with memorable tennis moments, jaw-dropping shots and resounding victory choruses. We're waiting to see if she'll add more glory to this impressive tally.
What do you think of this story, members? Are you a fan of Ash Barty? Let us know in the comments below!
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