The three-time grand slam champion announced she and her husband Garry Kissick are expecting their second child.
Three-time grand slam champion Ash Barty has announced she is expecting her second child just days before she is set to return to the tennis court at the Brisbane International. The Australian tennis great and her husband Garry Kissick dropped the major family news in a typically nonchalant Instagram post on Wednesday night.
A photo of the couple’s son, Hayden, facing their Christmas tree, wearing a t-shirt with the words “I am going to be a big brother” on the back broke the news to the world. “Merry Christmas from our growing family to yours!” the post’s caption read.
Hayden was born less than 18 months ago, in July 2023, and he will soon be a big brother to the couple’s second child. Barty and Kissick’s joint post was immediately flooded with hundreds of comments and thousands of likes, from celebrities to fellow sports stars.
“Ahhh congratulations! The most wonderful news,” former Olympic swimmer Libby Trickett said. While Aussie golfer Hannah Green added: “Omg congrats guys”. Barty’s close friend and doubles partner Casey Dellacqua wrote: “Can’t wait to meet #2 sweetie, so exciting xxx”. Cricketer Chris Lynn, surfer Stephanie Gilmore and Aussie tennis player Matt Ebden also were among the other hundreds of congratulatory messages.
Ash Barty to return to the court at the Brisbane International
The news comes as Barty is set to return to the tennis court later this week, headlining a charity showcase at the Brisbane International Family Fun Day on December 29. The 2022 Australian Open champion retired from tennis two months after winning her first and only home slam – which ended Australia’s 44-year singles title drought in Melbourne.
Since retiring, Barty and Kissick tied the knot in a secret tropical wedding, while she also released her autobiography and a children’s book series inspired by her niece.
Since retiring Barty has only taken to the court sparingly at charity events, usually alongside Dellacqua. But Aussie fans will again be able to see their sporting darling grace the blue courts again this weekend. Playing on Pat Rafter Arena, Barty will be joined by Rafter himself and several ATP and WTA stars.
QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND – MARCH 03: Former Australian tennis player Ash Barty plays tennis during day four of the 2024 New Zealand Golf Open at Millbrook Resort on March 03, 2024 in Queenstown, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Ash Barty retired from tennis two months after winning her first and only home slam. Image: Getty
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And ahead of her outing in Brisbane, the former World No. 1 said: “I’m grateful to the Brisbane International team for providing me with an opportunity to raise awareness for the Ash Barty Foundation and to engage with young Australians throughout the tournament.
“I have been fortunate in terms of my journey but not all kids have that same experience. The Ash Barty Foundation’s goal is to provide more opportunities for boys and girls to discover what they love to do and to give them the ability to follow their dreams.
“I am incredibly proud of the work we have done so far, but it’s only the beginning. It will be a lot of fun to hit the court with Pat Rafter and friends for the charity match and to meet many young tennis fans.”