How Ash Barty Found Her Safe Place — And Why Garry Kissick Was Always Part of the Plan
Ashleigh Barty has never chased the spotlight, and the same can be said for her relationship with Garry Kissick. While fans around the world watched her lift trophies and dominate tennis’s biggest stages, her most important partnership was quietly forming far from centre court.
Barty met Kissick in 2016, during a period when her life felt anything but settled. She had stepped away from tennis, searching for happiness beyond competition. Garry, a professional golfer, wasn’t drawn to her achievements or future potential — he simply treated her like Ash. That normalcy became rare and precious as her career later exploded.
As Barty returned to tennis and climbed to world No.1, Kissick became her constant off-court presence. He stayed out of interviews, avoided headlines, and focused on one role: being there. Whether Ash was celebrating Grand Slam wins or navigating the mental strain of elite sport, Garry provided calm, honesty, and perspective. She has often said he reminded her who she was when the noise became too loud.
When Barty announced her shock retirement in 2022, many questioned the timing. But those close to her understood it was the result of peace, not pressure. With Garry by her side, she felt complete — fulfilled by life rather than defined by titles.
Later that year, the couple married in a private ceremony that reflected everything about them: intimate, grounded, and free from spectacle. Since then, their focus has shifted fully to family and personal growth, embracing a quieter happiness.
Ash Barty and Garry Kissick’s love story isn’t about grand gestures or public declarations. It’s about choosing simplicity in a complicated world — and finding strength in someone who never needed the spotlight to matter.
