I Nearly Lost Teddy”: Ashleigh Barty Opens Up About Her Darkest Battle in Shocking New Interview

In a raw and emotional exclusive with Vogue Australia, published this morning, former world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty has stunned the tennis world by revealing the most painful chapter of her life—one she had never spoken about publicly until now. For nearly two hours, Barty opened up with deep honesty, recounting a period marked by fear, emotional turmoil, and a near-breaking point that almost tore apart her young family.

At the heart of her confession was her son, Teddy, whose name slipped from her lips with the weight of a mother who has carried a heavy burden. “I nearly lost Teddy…,” she said, describing a crisis that pushed her to emotional depths she never imagined. Though she did not give medical details, Barty made it clear that the experience reshaped her life, her marriage, and her understanding of strength.

What shocked fans just as deeply was her revelation that the trauma nearly cost her marriage to husband Garry Kissick. According to Barty, the emotional strain, sleepless nights, and overwhelming pressure created a distance between them that neither had experienced before. “We were both hurting in our own ways,” she shared, admitting that the couple came dangerously close to a separation.

But through therapy, communication, and what Barty calls “a renewed sense of purpose,” the pair rebuilt their relationship. Today, she describes Garry as her “anchor,” and Teddy as the reason she refuses to hide behind silence anymore.

The interview has set social media alight, with fans praising Barty’s courage and vulnerability. For a champion known for her calm strength and early retirement at the peak of her career, this revelation adds a new layer to her story—one of resilience, motherhood, and a family that fought to stay whole.