Ash Barty admits she’s terrified of adding another child to the chaos, but the pregnant tennis champion is loving her new life.
Ash Barty, the former world No.1 tennis champion, has always been known for her calm demeanor, razor-sharp focus, and unmatched discipline on and off the court. Her days as a professional athlete were defined by structure—training schedules, meal plans, recovery routines, and strategic preparation. Every detail was carefully managed, and her ability to remain composed under pressure became a hallmark of her success.
But life after tennis has brought with it a new challenge—motherhood. In 2023, Barty welcomed her first child, Hayden, with husband Garry Kissick. Since then, her once meticulously ordered world has taken a sharp turn into what she affectionately calls “absolute carnage.”
“As an athlete I used to be the most meticulous, organised person,” Barty recently shared. “And now, it’s just chaos in the best way.”
Motherhood, as she describes it, has turned her daily routine inside out. Early mornings are no longer filled with stretching and match prep, but with baby cries and bottle feeds. Her former predictability has been replaced by spontaneity—naps that never follow a schedule, messy rooms, and the constant juggling act that defines life with a newborn.
Yet, there’s no hint of regret in her words. Instead, Barty speaks with warmth, humor, and a profound sense of joy. The former tennis star is candid about the steep learning curve of parenting, admitting it’s been harder than any Grand Slam she’s faced. But it has also been more rewarding than she ever imagined.
What makes her story especially relatable is her honesty. Many elite athletes struggle with the transition from sport to “normal” life. The loss of routine, purpose, and identity can be overwhelming. But Barty has embraced the change, allowing herself to step into the beautiful unpredictability of family life.
While she’s no longer waking up to train or compete, Barty is still showing up every day—with patience, love, and a growing acceptance that it’s okay to not have everything in order. “It’s messy, loud, and full of surprises,” she says. “But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
In this new chapter, Ash Barty may no longer be the picture of perfect organisation—but she is, without a doubt, thriving.