Ashleigh Barty Breaks Down on Live TV: “I’ve Tried to Protect My Little Family… But Some Things Can’t Stay Hidden Forever”
Just when fans thought Ashleigh Barty had found her perfect happily-ever-after, the former World No. 1 shocked the tennis world with an emotional and unexpected confession. Appearing on Channel 9 in a nearly one-hour interview, Barty looked exhausted and teary-eyed as she opened up for the first time about the private battle that nearly destroyed her marriage to Garry Kissick.
Barty, who retired abruptly in 2022 at only 25 to marry her long-time partner and later welcome their daughter Hayden, admitted that life after tennis was far more complicated than anyone realized. “I’ve tried to protect my little family at all costs,” she said, her voice breaking. “But there are things you just can’t hide forever.”
According to Barty, the transition from global tennis superstar to full-time mother brought emotional pressures she didn’t expect — pressures that deeply affected her relationship. The overwhelming attention, the demands of new motherhood, and her struggle to adjust to a completely new identity created a rift between her and Kissick that at one point seemed impossible to heal.
What moved fans the most was Barty’s honesty: she revealed that she and Garry came “dangerously close” to separating before finally seeking help and rebuilding their bond.
A rare, raw glimpse into the life of a beloved champion — and a reminder that even the strongest heroes fight battles we never see.
